Lewes 48 Old Dunstonian 24

A rather disjointed display meant that the Old Boys headed back to town with just a solitary bonus point for the four tries scored, their lowest return from a game since the narrow defeat to East Grinstead in November. Their defensive rigour left them for periods of the game and this allowed Lewes to jump into a 19 nil lead. The hosts also played the referee well, getting away with a little more at scrum and breakdown than D’s. This is neither a criticism of the ref or Lewes, the laws are open to interpretation and the smarter side adapts the quicker.

Similar to the Warlingham fixture, OD’s gave themselves a mountain to climb, but after a frenzied last 20 minutes had taken them to a 34 24 deficit and the 4 try bonus (a brace each for Pelling, or was the second try JD’s? – I was busy extracting my son from a touchline rabbit warren, and two from Luke Smart) The second bonus point was seemingly in sight as the clock ticked down to the 78th minute, but D’s again switched off allowing Lewes to run in two further converted tries for a deserved victory if a flattering scoreline.

With Ben Connolly returning to Auz a little of the midfield penetration has been removed, and the team, shorn of a little of its threequarter sparkle, might consider its gameplan being recut to the cloth currently available. The tireless work of Hugh Hawkins, Luke Smart and co up front, including their lineout threat on both throws might point to a future direction.

This Saturday, OD's host Tunbridge Wells, the visitors keen for the points in their efforts to avoid the drop. Wells defeated a Warlingham team that beat the old boys a fortnight ago and will travel with expectation rather than hope. Indeed The Wells website designates this fixture as "winnable". Lets make sure its not. Langley Park 3pm.