No reward for battling effort

During the interval, Lewes replaced prop-forward Paddy Delaney with Paul Lacy, a regular first-team front-row who was returning after a long lay-off due to injury.

As Thanet became rattled at being forced onto the back foot tempers began to flare, and Lewes's centre Mark Griffith was sin-binned for going over in a ruck, immediately followed by Thanet's full-back Ed Merivale for persistent offside.

The reduction in numbers affected Thanet more, and Lewes's increasing dominance paid off on 62 minutes with their first try of the match. From a good scrum near the line the ball was switched out left for winger Rob Jones to score in the corner to reduce the deficit to 26-11.

Two minutes later the Sussex side embarked on a brilliant attacking move from the halfway line, the ball passing through several pairs of hands before finally finding flanker Mike Rust, who went over for a great try, converted by Rumble, to see Lewes claw themselves back at 26-18.

However, Thanet retaliated with a rare excursion into Lewes's half which ended with N'Dong touching down for his second try, with Redmond adding the conversion, to restore the advantage at 33-18.

The response from Lewes was to immediately win the ball from a line-out, and it was swiftly moved out by scrum-half Matt Sole to their impressive backs who embarked on a fine series of movements. It was rounded off by Rumble coming into the line for an excellent try.

Lewes: Delaney (Lacy), Gray, Lundin, Brant (Capt.), Raikes, B.Sole, Giles, Rust, M.Sole, Tyrell, Patto, Griffith, Barnard, Jones, Rumble (Reps: J.Nayler, A.Turner)

Lewes 2nd XV were at home to Hove in a Sussex League match, winning a tough encounter by 8-0 with a try from Steve Mills and a penalty by Nic Sharpe.

The 3rd XV also won their home friendly against Hove by 49-3. Among the try scorers were Paul Milner, Ben Hannay, Neil Vaughan (his first try as a senior player) and Portuguese debutant Thomas.

On Sunday Lewes Colts were at Worthing for a friendly, losing 19-14. Chris Blunt landed two tries and two conversions, with Josh Falcon-Taylor scoring a second try.

The under-13s entertained East Grinstead in a friendly, winning by 21-20, with tries from George Dean, Tristan Surgy and Tom Bowen.

The under-14s were at Hove, losing by 30-12, Lucas Shone scoring two tries.

The under-15s lost 20 -14 playing Worthing in a repeat of last year's closely-contested County semi-final.

The under-11s and 12s were at the Heathfield Tournament:-

Under-11s: Lewes 0 East Grinstead 0; semi-final: Lewes 5 Heathfield A 0; Lewes 10 Eastbourne 0: Final: Lewes 5 Hove A 15.

Under-12s: Lewes 0 Hove 20; Lewes 0 Haywards Heath B 14; Lewes 0 Eastbourne Blues 7; Lewes 7 East Grinstead 14.

Lewes under-10s had an excellent start to the season winning the Crawley festival on Sunday.