Lordswood Rugby Club head coach Paul Essenhigh rated his side's 12-11 win at Lewes in London South East 3 on Saturday an encouraging performance, but admitted the team made hard work of it.

They were 6-0 down after 20 minutes against their Sussex hosts, courtesy of a drop goal and a penalty, but Sean Evans’ try reduced the deficit to one point at the interval.

Gareth Bramwell then added a second try 15 minutes into the second half, converted by James Dorman to put Lordswood 12-6 ahead. Lewes scored again late on, but the visitors held out.

Essenhigh said: “It was an important win, and shows that when we have got our better players back, we are quite a good side. It is just getting everybody on the field at the same time. It was a good start to the year and we don’t want to sit back.”

Meanwhile, Medway's impressive run in the EDF Junior Vase came to an end with a 13-3 defeat to Sussex 1 leaders Brighton at Priestfields on Saturday

Brighton led through a fifth minute penalty, before Glen Wadsworth levelled with a kick of his own.

The visitors scored a converted try and added another penalty in the second half.