Ladies lose to experienced Lewes side

Heathfield Ladies 7 Lewes Ladies II 29
In excellent conditions and in front of a sizeable crowd, Lewes Ladies 2nd team eventually overcame a spirited Heathfield in this NC 2 League game. The quality of the game was a distinct improvement on last season and the home side can look forward to a productive league campaign. Heathfield also fielded several new faces in their squad of 22.
The first half was a close affair with the only score being a try for the visitors. Lewes looked to have a more experienced side and put plenty of pressure on the home defence which coped admirably. However Heathfield were less effective when they did have the ball and attacks tended to break down too quickly. They need to look after the ball better.
In the second half Heathfield were awarded a penalty try when Becky Eyres was high tackled with the line at her mercy and the offender was duly binned.
In the last quarter Lewes started to stretch away creating multiple overlaps and tries duly came in spite of some heroic tackling with Emily Sowell in particular making some big hits. Debutant Hattie Plummer and Izzy Eyres were also picked out for their defensive efforts with Plummer making one try-saving tackle.
The referee afterwards commented very positively about the home side commitment but he thought that perhaps they were trying too hard, doing things in a rush and mistakes consequently occurring.
Heathfield will look forward to playing the same opposition on a day when their 1st is also playing. Lewes today included several regular 1st team players who are also in the County squad so their inclusion in this supposed second team probably provided the difference between the sides.
After a week off Heathfield visit Cranbrook on 13th October. Please note that this is a Saturday and that there is an early ko – 11.00am.

Excellent pictures by Jason Scott-Taggart.