On a glorious day at The Stanley Turner Ground on Saturday, a large crowd witnessed a “first” for Lewes with the hosting of Sussex Rugby`s 125th Anniversary match between the County side and a representative Belgium XV.
The visitors, having just returned from a tour to Argentina, and also having played against illustrious sides such as the Barbarians, started off at a lively pace, and soon took the lead
0 – 3 with a well-taken penalty.
However, the stronger Sussex side then got into their stride, and began to score at regular intervals, with tries from: 17-year old Ross Chisholm, 18-year old Joe Hoare, Ben Chisholm (2), Chris Berghan (2), Will Stutchbury, Tom Gribble (all Haywards Heath, and Rob Lawrence (Heathfield). A converted try near the end of the match was little consolation for the Belgians, who were soundly beaten 55 – 10 at the whistle.
(Will Stutchbury has now been asked to train with the Belgium National side).
Lewes`s own season starts next Saturday with a warm-up training match at home to Bognor, k.o. 3.00pm. This game sees the introduction of Lewes`s first overseas player for the coming season, Lee Stewart, a fly-half from New Zealand. Lee will be joined in the following weeks by Eugene Gerrard, a hooker (also from NZ), and Ben Hamer, a utility forward from Australia.
The Bognor match is preceded by Lewes Womens` warm-up game against a combined Worthing/Shelford side, k.o. 12 noon.
Filed under: General News, Match Reports | Tagged: belgium, international, Sussex
