Lewes' rugby return continues with thriller against Uckfield

Lewes RFC’s second friendly since the long-awaited return of rugby ended in an exciting 31-31 draw with Uckfield.
Lewes in action against UckfieldLewes in action against Uckfield
Lewes in action against Uckfield

Lewes RFC’s second friendly since the long-awaited return of rugby ended in an exciting 31-31 draw with Uckfield.

Lewes were looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss a week earlier against Burgess Hill and made a promising start.

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Sam Jones chipped and chased to regather and score Lewes’ first points of the match. 5-0.

Lewes in possessionLewes in possession
Lewes in possession

And after a period of relentless Lewes pressure, Oliver Bowery’ pick-and-go from the base of a ruck led to him scoring Lewes’ second try. 10-0.

Lewes kept forcing Uckfield to make mistakes and allowing Lewes to counter with Tom Glenn breaking the defensive line and dotting down under the posts. 17-0 after the first 20 minutes.

In the second 20, Uckfield made changes and started to cause problems at the breakdown for Lewes.

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The second quarter was tightly contested and, through a series of errors by Lewes and penalties at the breakdown, Uckfield finally found their way through, scoring in the corner. 17-7.

Lewes RFCLewes RFC
Lewes RFC

With the frustration setting in, Lewes started to miss tackles and allow Uckfield to build more momentum, which saw them score in the corner to make it 17-12 at half-time.

In the third quarter Lewes were looking to rebuild lost momentum, but continued to make small mistakes.

Lewes lost the ball at a ruck and then missed a series of tackles in their own half, setting up Uckfield to score their third try, 17-19.

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Lewes rallied but, yet again, conceded more penalties at the breakdown.

In a period of good discipline Lewes patiently kept building pressure until they were only 5m out.

Wave after wave of Lewes attacks battered the Uckfield line, until finally Tom Petty crashed over, but the referee didn’t not award it, as he was unsighted.

The final quarter started with a determined and motivated Lewes taking the pitch. James Sale’s pick-and-go which saw him drive several of Uckfield’s strongest defenders back over the line to score a try for the ages.

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Lewes would strike again, after Kieran Morris ran a scything line through the Uckfield defence to make it 31-19.

But after a string of penalties against Lewes, Uckfield would finally score.

Lewes once again rallied but their true nemesis of the day, ill-discipline, struck once more and Uckfield broke the line to make it 31-31 in the last play of the match.

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