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The Colts beat travelling Guernsey in the rain and the mud.
Steve Bowie11 Dec 2023 - 16:19
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Despite the deteriorating weather, Lewes put on a great defensive display to beat Guernsey at home.
The large amounts of rain over the previous week rendered the adult pitches unplayable, meaning that the fixture had to be played on the minis pitch. This smaller pitch made it difficult for Lewes to play the expansive, running rugby that they're trying to base their season around, as well as making the kicking that the weather required difficult at best.
The first half was played into the wind, but the home team started the half as it was to continue, placing Guernsey under pressure. Lewes was strong in defence all match, allowing Lewes to dominate possession. The pressure on Guernsey's defence lead to two penalties converted by Thomas Moore. Lewes, however, were not able to convert the pressure into tries, with the mud and increasing amount of rain leading to a number of dropped balls.
Unfortunately, Lewes' desire to pressure in defence, compounded by the slippery conditions under foot, led to a number of slips in discipline at the breakdown. Guernsey capitalised on the territorial gain to score a converted try.
Captain Jake Bowie read the team the riot act, and good discipline resumed. The first half ending 6-7 to Guernsey.
The second half was played with the wind at Lewes' back, however, the deteriorating weather conditions made it hard to capitalise.
The home team continued to apply pressure, with the forward pack really stepping up, making strong, well supported carries. Thomas Moore and Jake Bowie kicked well out of hand to relieve pressure and the lineout, led by Billy Evans-Freke, stole a number of defensive lineouts.
The pressure paid off with Max Preston making a strong carry through Guernsey's defensive line, well supported, giving Shalin Tanna the opportunity for a scrum-half snipe and a stretch for the line; try converted by Thomas Moore.
The only score of the half was backed up by a strong defensive display, with the home team absorbing all of Guernsey's pressure. The match ended 13-7 to Lewes, with all players having put on a great defensive display in the mud.
Oppositions' Man of the Match Thomas Moore, Players' Man of the Match Billy Evans-Freke, Coach's Man of the Match Shalin Tanna.
The first half was played into the wind, but the home team started the half as it was to continue, placing Guernsey under pressure. Lewes was strong in defence all match, allowing Lewes to dominate possession. The pressure on Guernsey's defence lead to two penalties converted by Thomas Moore. Lewes, however, were not able to convert the pressure into tries, with the mud and increasing amount of rain leading to a number of dropped balls.
Unfortunately, Lewes' desire to pressure in defence, compounded by the slippery conditions under foot, led to a number of slips in discipline at the breakdown. Guernsey capitalised on the territorial gain to score a converted try.
Captain Jake Bowie read the team the riot act, and good discipline resumed. The first half ending 6-7 to Guernsey.
The second half was played with the wind at Lewes' back, however, the deteriorating weather conditions made it hard to capitalise.
The home team continued to apply pressure, with the forward pack really stepping up, making strong, well supported carries. Thomas Moore and Jake Bowie kicked well out of hand to relieve pressure and the lineout, led by Billy Evans-Freke, stole a number of defensive lineouts.
The pressure paid off with Max Preston making a strong carry through Guernsey's defensive line, well supported, giving Shalin Tanna the opportunity for a scrum-half snipe and a stretch for the line; try converted by Thomas Moore.
The only score of the half was backed up by a strong defensive display, with the home team absorbing all of Guernsey's pressure. The match ended 13-7 to Lewes, with all players having put on a great defensive display in the mud.
Oppositions' Man of the Match Thomas Moore, Players' Man of the Match Billy Evans-Freke, Coach's Man of the Match Shalin Tanna.
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