Old Dunstonians v Lewes Match Report

...that the old boys had earlier threatened to overwhelm. A losing bonus point was thin pickings from a game Dunstonians had given themselves the platform to win comfortably. Having assembled a backline of some quality and with impact forwards carrying effectively, the old boys need to ask themselves what areas of their game need addressing in order to turn promising spells into wins.

The game started brightly with ODs on the board after a minute as Gee successfully converted a three pointer as Lewes strayed offside. When Mott, predatory at the base of the scrum, detected a big empty blindside and sprinted in for a converted score the old boys looked in good shape. A Lewes penalty was countered by the try of the match from the old boys. An incisive burst from Tom Burnham was well supported and a succession of accurate offloads saw Lewes outflanked with Mark McKillop finishing the move off, Gee converting. A further penalty saw the old boys 20 points to 3 to the good at the turn.

Lewes had shown signs that they weren't going quietly and with their big blindside forward organising a competent pack the tide gradually turned. ODs No 12 Joe Murray was sent to the bin as the ref interpreted him clearing a ruck as an attempt at a spear tackle. Lewes were starting to rumble and were getting the benefit of marginal decisions. Having closed to within 3 points, and with Murray being replaced behind the posts by Mott the referee penalised Jeremy Scott for holding on in the tackle despite clearly not being held. Unforgivably the old boys switched off and a quick tap and pass to the Lewes left wing saw him sprint in from halfway to steal the lead. The match finished with Lewes threatening to extend their advantage, a reflection in how the balance of power had shifted during the game, and if the match had continued further perhaps Lewes would have improved their 24 - 20 margin taking the bonus point away from the old boys too.

Debutant full back Paul Shepherd looks a decent acquisition and it was good to see wing Linvale Antonio on for the last 15 minutes after a lengthy injury lay off. The feeling remains that things will click soon for the old boys, but free scoring East Grinstead this Saturday is going to be a tough place to start the recovery.