Agony as last-gasp try costs point

A draw was probably the right result with both back rows dominant throughout, especially Jersey's captain Steve O'Brien and No. 8 Richie Griffiths, and Lewes's Nick Giles.

After seven minutes Jersey took the lead after a break in midfield from centre Mark White ended with Griffiths going over under the posts. Winger James Milner slotted over the conversion.

Lewes responded immediately, kicking deep inside the opposition territory and then embarking on a controlled maul which enabled scrum-half Matt Sole to crash over the line for a fine but unconverted try.

On 23 minutes Jersey won the ball from a scrum near Lewes's 22-metre line and good passing resulted in Griffiths touching down for his second try to increase the Jersey lead to 12-5.

Just before half-time a Lewes attack deep into Jersey's half broke down, enabling the visitors to embark on an impressive counter-attack which was rounded off by full-back Gareth Jeffries scoring under the posts for a fine try, converted by Milner.

Now 19-5 down, Lewes replied quickly, winning good ball and then passing it out wide for left-winger Scott Patto to kick and chase to the corner, where he touched down for a well-worked try. Neil Rumble converted.

The home side's backs were now benefiting from more possession, and they nearly scored after 64 minutes when a great move down the left saw winger Sean Taylor attempt to touch down in the corner only to be forced into touch inches from the line.

Two minutes later Jersey's flanker Brett Els was sin-binned for killing the ball on the floor and the temporary reduction in players saw Lewes draw level at 19-19 on 67 minutes.

They won scrum ball and then embarked on a rolling maul which was only stopped by an illegal move by their opponents. The referee awarded Lewes a penalty try, Rumble kicking the conversion.

Four minutes later, Lewes took the lead for the first time after an excellent move from way out, and brilliant inter-passing ended with Taylor scoring the best try of the match near the posts for Rumble to kick an easy conversion.

Jersey made one last effort to draw level and this came courtesy of a penalty near Lewes's line from which Griffiths was able to crash over near the posts for a last-gasp try, Milner kicking the conversion.

Lewes: Lacy, D Hemsley (capt), Lundin (Hawkes), Wood, Raikes, Rust, Giles, Brant, M Sole, Tyrrell, Patto, Barnard (Saunders), Griffiths, Taylor, Rumble. Replacements: Turner, Gray.

On Tuesday, December 27, a Lewes XV entertain the Old Boys in their annual Xmas clash at the Stanley Turner Ground, 1pm.