The Lions Lose to Lewes

The home side applied early pressure with a back line eager to run the ball at every opportunity. Lewes moved into the lead in the 10 minute with a well worked move when, starting down the right flank, the ball was moved to the inside centre who missed out his centre partner with a long pass to the unmarked left wing who crossed in the corner. 5-0 to Lewes.

The Lions narrowed the gap minutes later with a well struck penalty by Blair Charge 38 metres out. 5-3 to Lewes. There then followed an even passage of play upto half time with the Lions pack definitely getting on top up front, destroying the home sides scrums and rolling them back at a rate of knots with driving Mauls. In fact this was a game where the old adage that “forwards win matches and the backs determine by how many” was turned completely on its head as the Lions contributed to their own downfall with far to many defensive lapses. Lewes stretched their lead just before the break with another unconverted try by their left wing.10-3 to Lewes

With just seven points separating the sides there was still all to play for at he commencement of the second half. The Lions made a change at tighthead prop bringing on Arthur Evans for Sam Hanley. The Lions also suffered the loss of full back Mick O’Donnell who, making his first appearance for the club after a spell at Dover, had to leave the field with a painful shoulder dislocation.

Despite the Lions forward dominance the home side widened their lead when their outside centre cut through the middle of the Lions defence to score under the posts .His centre partner converting for a 17-3 lead
Shortly after this score Lions prop Arthur Evans received a yellow card for raking at a ruck. The Lions defensive organisation in this game was found wanting, several times leaving gaps for the home team to exploit. Lewes next score ,securing them a four try bonus point virtually ended any hopes of the Lions taking anything from the game. 22-3 to Lewes

The Lions lost another player to a yellow card. This time influential back row forward Andy Agar was harshly judged to have made a tackle without using his arms. The Lions gifted the home side their final score when their blind side wing forward intercepted a pass 40metres out to race over. Converted by their inside centre. 29-3 to Lewes

In the final minutes of play The Lions forwards were rewarded for their continual dominance over the home pack when the referee awarded them a penalty try following three successive offences at the scrums in the red zone by the Lewes eight. Blair Charge converting. 29-10 the final score. The Court Yard 1st XV Man of the Match was awarded to Adam Michael.

This Saturday the Lions have another hard fixture when they entertain Brighton at the Drill field. The 2nd’s are away to Tonbridge Juddians. Both Kick Off’s 3pm

Reporter Gerald Griffiths