Royals RFC 24
Tries: George Burke, Oli Walker, Jack Lowe, Brian Njomba
Cons: Pearse Moloney x2
Lewes 31
Royals RFC and Lewes shared one of the games of the Counties 2 Sussex season at Grainville on Saturday, the visitors coming away with a narrow 31-24 win.
The Royals remain with just one win from ten this season, but the improvements are clear to see.
Lewes arrived on Island mid table seeking their fifth win of the season and hit the ground hard with three early tries, caused by “silly errors”, said vice-captain Pearse Moloney.
George Burke led the fightback with the Royals’ opening score, before Oli Walker touched down for their second from a pinpoint cross-field kick from Moloney just before half time.
The Royals forwards of the home side put in a strong shift in the second half, which saw a try each scored by hooker Jack Lowe and blindside flanker Brian Njomba. Moloney’s right boot was successful on both occasions in the second half, but it was too little too late for the men in blue, Lewes taking the game 31-24.
Moloney added: “It was a great performance from the lads, although slightly frustrating that there was only one try in it.
“Overall we really thought we could get a win on Saturday, but there are plenty of positives we have taken away and we still earned ourselves two bonus points.”
The Royals are next back in action this Saturday with a spicy away fixture against rivals Eastbourne II.
Royals RFC squad: [15-9] Christian Weald, George Burke, Marcus Brandon, Jake Bates, Oli Walker, Ben Pearson, Pearse Moloney (vc) [1-8] Tristan Burns (c), Jack Lowe, Cameron Spencer, Will Michel, Lewis Ham-Howes, Brian Njomba, Josh Twohig-Jones, Cam Queree Replacements: Sam Dillon, Matt Boyd, Hugo Reid
