Lewes RFC

Eastbourne started brightly, attacking the "boggy-end" with powerful drives.  Repeated Lewes infringements resulted in a penalty to Eastbourne.  3-0 within the first five minutes.  Those were the only points to be scored against Lewes for the next 40 minutes.

Lewes had the advantage of the sun at their backs and were attacking the end that had firmer ground.  It was the combination of support running along with line breaks from both forward and backs that led to a first half try-fest for Lewes.  Eastbourne's scrum was functioning well against a relatively junior and inexperienced Lewes front row, but J Lacey at 9 kept quick ball coming from the back of the scrum and rucks, and with the ball in hand and the ability to run because of the firmer ground, Lewes took full advantage.  Try's for L Medhust, A George-Coker, B Goode and J Solterman all converted by J Smith meant the bonus point for Lewes was secured within 25 minutes.  Another try for J Solterman and one for H Rees, both converted by J Smith meant Lewes had a healthy half-time lead of 3-42.

After the break, the tables were turned.  Eastbourne attacking the firmer ground found some purchase for their boots.  Within five minutes of the restart, they had scored a well worked goal.  A lot of the game was played between the respective 22's and both teams were determined to run rather than kick for territory.  The Lewes scrum had to be quick because of Eastbourne's clear dominance in this area.  The Eastbourne backs were growing in confidence and from that came another goal.  With Lewes down to 14 for a yellow for a deliberate knock-on, Eastbourne conjured up another try under the posts making the conversion very simple.  24-42 with 15 minutes remaining.  

Eastbourne were pushing for a fourth try to seal at least a bonus point for themselves.  They elected to scrum every penalty, which was to be their undoing.  It used up valuable minutes on the clock.  Four penalties were conceded by Lewes where the home team opted for the scrum, from one of which a backs move resulted in a knock on and a penalty for Lewes due to Eastbourne giving the referee some unwanted advice.

Lewes relieved the pressure, but Eastbourne were desperate to get something from the game in the form of a try bonus point and attacked from the lost line out.  The ball went through the backs, but a perfectly timed interception by B Goode and a foot race 3/4 of the length of the pitch gave Lewes the final word and with the try converted (J Smith), the referee blew full time with the final score 24-49.