The Lewes Ladies flew to Guernsey on Saturday to compete in the top-of-the-table clash that the two teams have been training for all season. With only their points difference keeping Lewes in first place, the Ladies knew that this match would decide who was likely to come out on top at the end of the season.

The icy temperatures caused a 90 minute delay to their plane taking off which meant that, when the Ladies finally arrived at the ground, they had only 20 minutes to warm up. After a high-speed warm-up led by Captain Sophie Williams, Lewes lined up for the kick-off amidst hailstones and blustering winds.

Josie Nelder’s kick flew into the Guernsey half and the game was away. The hosts were immediately on the attack, using their large forward pack to slam into the defensive line. However, Lewes had been training for this style of play – and their line-speed and positive tackles meant that Guernsey soon found themselves moving backwards towards their own half. A Guernsey knock-on gave Lewes the chance to gain control of the game with a scrum, but the host team surprised Lewes with their early shove and took control in the set piece. Struggling to control the weight of the Guernsey pack, the Lewes scrum couldn’t retain the ball. Despite a valiant effort from scrumhalf Grace Darling, Guernsey gained possession and were looming dangerously close to the try line. Lewes’ sterling effort in defence kept Guernsey working hard but it wasn’t long before Guernsey star player Tanya Scholtz forced her way over the line in an early five points for the home team.

Guernsey’s score gave Lewes a wake-up call, and the team that ran back for the restart were far more alert and prepared for the game. Repeated handling errors from both sides saw possession switch hands fluidly as Guernsey fought to make it out of their own half. Some fantastic defence from back of the match Lauren Arthur saw Guernsey’s back line closed down almost as quickly as their forwards were, and the home side’s frustration was evident as they failed to make an impact on the Lewes defence.

By the end of the first half Lewes were in control of the game, despite the wet weather making the ball incredibly slippery (causing knock-ons from both teams). The Lewes Ladies’ defence was immaculate and, camped out in the Guernsey half, it seemed like they were just waiting for their opportunity to level the score. However, no opportunity came and the half time whistle blew with Guernsey still in the lead.

A rousing team talk from coach Owen Jones saw a determined Lewes side set up to receive Guernsey’s kick-off. Scooping up the ball, ‘Irish’ Sam Monaghan went storming into the Guernsey half, sending the home team scrabbling to defend. A great run from forward of the match Hannah Ross saw the Lewes side inch ever closer to the Guernsey try line.

Once again Lewes suffered with the wet weather, losing the ball in knock-ons and missed passes. Guernsey’s attack was similarly afflicted and – in an attempt to relieve their defence, kicked the ball into the safe hands of fullback Nicola Minchell. Smoothly switching to attack, Nicola sprinted through a fractured defence and over the try line. A last ditch tackle saw Minchell bundled into touch just in time to prevent her scoring the much needed five points for Lewes.

With the away team support roaring from the sidelines, Lewes buffeted the Guernsey defence again and again, camping out on their five metre line. Drawing the defending side into their forward pods, Lewes spotted space on the outside. The ball flew out to the backs but was fumbled and given away. Guernsey took the opportunity and made short work of Lewes’ defence. Spotting an opening on the wing Tanya Scholtz scored her second try of the game with only minutes left to play. 10-0 to the home side.

Lewes knew that to stay in this game they had to switch on – and fast. With limited time left on the clock, every opportunity had to be turned into points. Lewes drove into the Guernsey half, chasing the kick. A series of penalties in their favour saw the Sussex side regain possession deep within the Guernsey half. Play forged forward and it wasn’t long before Lewes had a line-out just ten metres out. The beautifully executed ball fell into the hands of prop Sam Williams who was stopped just short of the line. The defence piled in as Lewes player after Lewes player hurtled into the line, ever closer to a try. Another exceptional decision from fly-half Josie Nelder saw the ball shipped out to the backs and a perfectly executed pass was caught by winger Abi Radford and finally placed over the line for the Lewes Ladies.

The final whistle blew as the conversion was taken, making the final score 10-5. Lewes’ efforts were just too little too late to gain advantage over the Guernsey side. Despite having the majority of the possession, Lewes weren’t clinical enough to make the most of the opportunities they had, which ultimately allowed Guernsey to gain the lead. Lewes need to keep their heads high if they’re going to defend their second place spot against Medway on 26 February.