Lewes Ladies travelled to Canterbury on Sunday for the second time in a month, to challenge the Kent team in the third round of the Junior Cup. After a tough league game in October which saw both teams take away multiple injuries, Lewes were nervous about meeting Canterbury again so soon.

They shouldn’t have been. Immediately from the kick-off it was clear that the Canterbury side was no match for the Lewes Ladies. The Sussex team looked sharp and strong, supporting each other as they smashed into the defensive line. Canterbury struggled in the face of the onslaught and struggled to gain any control of events.

The wind and cold made handling difficult, and Lewes found it difficult to advance as handling errors crept into their game. Canterbury struggled to make use of their advantage and Lewes’ tactical moves in the rucks meant that the Sussex side regained possession quickly each time.

It wasn’t long before a fantastic carry from hooker Pip Young opened up the space for flyhalf Josie Nelder to score the first try of the game. It was easily converted: 0-7.

Lewes found their rhythm after the first try – scooping up the kick-off and racing back into the Canterbury half. Within a few minutes winger, Lauren Arthur, found the gap she needed to race round the defence and under the posts for another try: 0-14.

Canterbury came back from this second try with a bit more aggression which initially threw Lewes. While we still maintained possession, we were being forced backwards by a stronger looking defensive line and Canterbury were putting on the pressure. More handling errors saw Canterbury make some ground: entering the Lewes half for the first time in the game.

Looking to find some space, Josie Nelder chipped the ball over the defence and Lewes prepared themselves to attack. An unfortunate knock-on ended the opportunity Nelder made with her kick but Lewes won the scrum and found themselves deep into Canterbury’s half again.

The forwards kept the ball safe as they rumbled further up the pitch with determination. Flanker Hannah Ross pushed through the defensive line and made metres as Canterbury struggled to bring her to ground, scattering their defence in an attempt to prevent the try. A savvy call from Scrumhalf Grace Darling saw the ball sail through the hands of the back line in a beautifully executed move. It was Lauren Arthur again who found the try line. Half time score: 0-19 to Lewes Ladies.

Lewes picked up just where they left off at the restart: using their dominance in the scrums and the rucks to keep the ball almost exclusively in Sussex hands. No. 8 Sam Williams broke off from the scrum to make ground into the Canterbury half, drawing the defence inwards before passing out to Grace Darling. The ball travelled through out to second row “Irish” Sam Monoghan who had the time to run past the line and under the posts for try number 4: 0-26 thanks to another beautiful Nelder conversion.

Shortly after the re-start Josie was carried off the pitch after injuring her shin. The Lewes team were thrown into chaos as they re-shuffled to fill the hole at flyhalf. Lacking the leadership of the Captain and 10, the Blue and Whites struggled to maintain their momentum. Canterbury took advantage of the confusion to regain possession and Lewes struggled to defend.

Only five minutes after Lewes went 26 points up, Canterbury had their first points on the board after a sprint down the wing went unimpeded. Another five minutes of straggled defence and Canterbury found the try line again, despite a brave attempt at a tap tackle from centre “Chip” Chippett. With ten minutes to go, Canterbury were finding their rhythm and Lewes were caught on the back foot with the victory suddenly in question for the first time in the game.

“Irish” Sam Monaghan stepped up to take the kick-off. Lewes were clearly the fitter team, and Canterbury were beginning to show their tiredness. Realising this, Lewes upped their energy levels for a heroic last push. A defensive kick from Canterbury’s flyhalf saw the ball glide into Lewes territory. Lauren Arthur caught the kick, dodged the Canterbury fullback who was chasing for possession and put on the gas – just staying on the pitch as she ran around Canterbury to score again for the Lewes Ladies: 12-31.

In the last seconds of the game, Lewes’ scrumhalf Grace Darling made a fantastic break, spotting the gap and speeding past the Canterbury defence only to be pushed into touch in time to prevent a final try.

Despite a rocky few minutes in the second half, Lewes enjoyed a well-deserved win and are looking forward to finding out who they will face in the fourth round of the Junior cup. They are now within the final 16 teams in the country still battling in the competition.

Lewes Ladies enjoy a rest weekend next weekend before facing Medway away for the second time this season – this time in a league fixture the results of which will determine Lewes’ standing at the top of the table.