A continuation of his under par performances at training meant that skipper Mitchell was kept on the bench on Saturday. Tom Spurle agreed to lead the side again once it was confirmed that the dangerous Balchin wouldn’t be playing.
It was Spurle who started the scoring. Ex Ox wrestler Williams used his enormous frame to charge down a Lewes kick. The Bognor forwards secured the ball on the ground and the welsh wizard Parry wove his magic to release his centre who scooted over showing ridiculous pace to score his twentieth try of the campaign. Even the effects of a rigorous warm up couldn’t help Parry to add the extras.
The Bognor front row of George Burns, Cooper and the enigmatic Paul Mitchell dominated the scrums from the outset. Making his debut at number 8, Christopher Barlow broke from a scrum. Quick ball and a well executed move in midfield saw giant centre Reed break through. The twenty stone powerhouse took eleven men over the line with him to score. Parry added the extras.
Lewes came straight back at Bognor. Their extremely tight shorted winger made a fine break, Bognor were found offside and the Lewes 10 slotted the penalty. Half time 12-3.
The second half began with Bognor falling asleep, falling off tackles and continually giving penalties away at the breakdown. Nigel Mitchell on the sideline was incensed, pacing back and forth like a caged lion before he was warned by the excellent referee that if he continued, this lion would be sent to the clubhouse.
Excellent defence from Lancaster, the rejuvenated Hay and the red fox, Bailey kept Lewes at bay but they added a penalty to cut the deficit to just six points. This spurred Bognor into action. The visitors gnome like half backs, Brown and Parry, both five foot two and heavily bearded, played the territory game pinning Lewes back with accurate kicks. The recently renovated Rimmer was a constant thorn in the Lewes side hitting every ruck with the force of a Dyson. Lewes were forced to kick and having come on for the unfortunate Goddard, full back Growler, eyes bulging ran or kicked the ball back with guile, supported by Dave on the wing. Long, blonde, wavy hair blowing in the Lewes breeze, Paul Mitchell threw a filthy dummy to confound the opposition and put Bognor on the front foot.
The pressure told and Parry kicked Bognor further into the lead after Lewes infringed.
Howard had a fine game. His Fat club programme has seen him lose five stone in recent weeks and the effects were obvious as he intercepted near the Bognor line and set off like an antelope on the high veldt, graceful and alive. Unfortunately Brown could not take the scoring pass. However, after Parry had ignored an eight man overlap, Burns was able to pick up from the resulting ruck and dive triumphantly over the line for his first ever senior try.
Skipper Mitchell was unavailable to comment after the match. However, if his arms and legs are able to work as hard as his mouth he should be able to force his way back into the starting line up soon.

Team – Burns G, Mitchell P, Cooper, Williams, Rimmer, Bailey, Howard, Barlow C, Brown, Parry, Hay Spurle, Reed, Lancaster, Growler, Dave