To support player welfare, the RFU Council controversially agreed last week to lower the height of the tackle across the community game. In the meantime, perhaps they should have thought about player welfare when they insisted on a structured season, which means that Lewes are currently playing every Saturday in January and February, but only on one throughout March and April. This gruelling regime is certainly having a detrimental effect on the welfare and fitness of our players.

So, once again, Lewes were weakened by a steady accumulation of injuries as they travelled to Seaford for another challenging league game. The injury count rose just before kick off when Damian Pye and Alex Frias Del Rio were forced out of the selected starting line-up. The strain on Lewes players that has been caused by the congested fixture list is seen in the statistic that, just in January, they have had to call upon thirty-one players for their match day squads.

There was more controversy at the beginning of this game when Seaford kept their visitors and the referee waiting, thus delaying the start by a full five minutes. It was no wonder that Lewes were caught cold by these tactics as they conceded two early tries. However, Lewes responded well to this set-back with some good attacking play, and this was rewarded with another excellent Gus Taylor try that he converted himself.

A 10-7 margin at half time would have suited Lewes, but, unfortunately, Seaford sneaked in for a further try just before the break that gave them a ten point advantage. This advantage was further increased when Seaford started the second half as they had the first with two quick scores that left them 29-7 ahead. Lewes battled well to get back into the game, but Seaford put any hope of a turnaround with their final try that gave them a lead of 36-7.

Dauntless, Lewes continued to attack, and were rewarded with a try from Cane Dadswell after some good pressure on the Seaford line. At this point, fly-half Bertie Bello had already gone off injured, and he was followed by both Dadswell and Cyan Furlong. It has been a remarkable effort by both players and coaches to get full squads on the pitch for the four January fixtures and it is hoped that they will be able to continue this for the four fixtures in February.

These are: 4th February: Uckfield (home), kick off 2.00; 11th February: Burgess Hill (home), kick off 2.00; 18h February: Eastbourne (away), kick off 2.00; 25th February: Pulborough (home), kick off 2.30, (preceded by Dave Harris walk and pre-match lunch).

Lewes team: Furlong; Elmes, Littlewood, Hoff, Maguire; Bello, Taylor; Dadswell, Gage, Moran; Sale (captain), Ozeren; Coe, Weston, Shiell. Replacements: Roberts, Audsley-McKenna, Hutchings.