Lewes RFC

Lewes RFC U16 Lionesses travelled to Hove RFC for their Sussex Cup match on Sunday 25^th January.  The team had 4 players missing, some due to late withdrawals, so with 14 players and no subs, Lewes were on the back-foot even before the match kicked off.  Hove RFC fielded a squad of 21 players and it was the fresh legs they were able to bring on that made the difference in a very well fought and even match.

The pitch resembled a battlefield in some places with slick mud instead of grass, meaning the Lionesses preferred running style was already negated.  Both sides played the stodgy conditions extremely well and it was the Lionesses who struck first some 25 minutes into the game.  Some scything runs and slick handling, whilst playing up the slope and into the wind and rain saw the ball go through just about all of the team before E Redshaw broke free of the cover and ran under the posts.  C Bains converted with her usual panache.

Within 5 minutes Hove fought back with their own well worked move shifting the ball from one side of the pitch to the other with some direct running powering them over the line, with the conversion missed, Lewes held a slim 5-7 lead at Half time.

The second half saw Hove able to make some substitutions and even though they were now playing against the slope, the fresh legs and good handling made the difference in the final ten minutes with Lewes down another player to score two more tries to win 17-7.

Despite the players obvious disappointment, the coaches and parents had nothing but praise for the Lionesses.  14 players; no substitutes; clear scrum dominance with only 7 and sometimes 6 players in the pack, a centre playing as scrum half for the very first time; playing in wind and rain and on a pitch that would have not been out of place in the Somme.

Hove were very sporting, and are a fantastic bunch and their players were good for the win.  We wish them all the best for their cup run.  The Lionesses move into the lower stage of the tournament and will face Hastings/Seaford in the next phase on 8^th March.

Hove awarded their player of the match to the Lewes fullback, E Campbell who seemed to pop up everywhere on the pitch.  Lewes coaches awarded their player of the match to the stand-in No9, I Curd who stepped in at the last minute with no practice and had a solid game in an unfamiliar role. 

Our thanks also to the team manager, M Redshaw for taking the kit home to wash!