No answer to tough tackling defence work

Lewes started with spirited attacks that restricted Old Mids within their own quarter for the first 10 minutes. Full-back Neil Rumble missed a penalty on 16 minutes, but a minute later Lewes were awarded a second penalty, the kick made easier by the referee moving the ball 10 metres nearer the posts after an Old Mids player disputed his decision. This time Rumble made no mistake.

Three minutes later Old Mids took the lead at 5-3 after winning ball on Lewes's 22-metre line. It was passed out wide to winger Arjun Seth, who evaded two tackle attempts before diving over for a fine individual try in the corner.

At this point Lewes's winger Rob Jones came off second best in a hard tackle and had to leave the field to be replaced by Mark Barnard.

Some five minutes later Old Mids added a second try from centre Rob Clarke, converted by Macaskill to stretch the lead to 12-3.

Although the visitors's much heavier pack was now beginning to assert their authority Lewes continued to win good line-out ball, with No. 8 Chris Brant dominant, and they constantly attempted to throw the ball out to their speedy backs.

This tactic paid off after 34 minutes when Old Mids were penalised for going over the top in trying to stop an attacking move, and Rumble duly slotted over the kick to reduce the arrears to 12-6.

Just before half-time another penalty from Rumble closed the gap even further.

Old Mids attacked straight from the re-start and from some 30 metres out embarked on an impressive inter-passing move that ended with centre Simon Ellis going over for a fine try, converted by Macaskill, for 19-9.

Prop Jason Lundin now replaced Lewes's Ryan Hawkes, and at first this change seemed to assist the home side's scrummaging as they forced their way deep into Old Mids's defensive zone

However, the move then broke down when Lewes lost possession, enabling the opposition to release the ball to Ellis, who ran almost three-quarters the length of the pitch to score an opportunist try for 24-9.

Skipper Dave Hemsley was sin-binned a few moments later for deliberately kicking the ball away. However, in spite of being temporarily reduced to 14 men it was Lewes who took the play to their opponents and, after winning good ruck ball near the posts, second-row Lee Raikes plunged over for a well-worked try which Rumble converted to make the score 24-16.

Old Mids had the last word with a Macaskill penalty for a Lewes player going over the top.

Tomorrow could prove to be the biggest challenge to date with Lewes away to unbeaten league leaders Guildford.

Lewes: Lacy, Hemsley (capt), Hawkes (Lundin), Turner, Raikes, Gray (Barth), Giles, Brant, Patto, Tyrrell, Jones (Barnard), Saunders, Griffith, Taylor, Rumble.