Men's 1s' hopes hanging by a thread

Lewes' hopes of staying in the league hang again by literally the thinnest of threads after this heavy defeat at Staines. They absolutely must beat leaders Oxford University in their final match of the season on Saturday to have any hope, and then a number of other results also have to go their way with all other teams at the bottom of the league having games in hand. It is looking a forlorn hope. This result was all the more disappointing after victory the week before, and knowing a win against fellow strugglers Staines would have taken them out of the bottom three.

Not for the first time this season Lewes started the better of the teams. Rory Jervis latched on to a poor pass out of the hosts’ defence to bury his twelfth goal of the season after ten minutes. Lewes can rarely seem to hold on to a lead and again were quickly put under pressure and conceded a penalty corner midway through and then another goal before half time to go into the break 2-1 down.

They needed to start the second half well but again hesitancy in defence saw another penalty corner goal conceded. Lewes briefly threatened with two penalty corners themselves but were unable to capitalise and Staines made the most of this let off with two quick goals to make it 5-1. Goalkeeper Jack Edgerton made successive saves but the pressure on the Lewes goal saw two temporary suspensions and then Staines scored in the final minutes to complete a  comprehensive win.

Oxford University are a point ahead at the top of the league with two games remaining for them. For Lewes it is the last roll of the dice but they will have to produce their best performance of the season to stave off any chance of avoiding relegation. The match starts at 1.30pm at the Southdown Club.

Report by Paul Spruce