Lewes are convinced they can stage a dramatic escape from relegation despite another home defeat.

The London Three South East strugglers went down 11-3 at home to second-placed Dover and remain locked in a relegation scrap which also includes Eastbourne, who won, and now Chichester as well.

Lewes captain Mark Edmondson, who started Saturday's game in the back row and ended it at hooker after injury to Sean Sayers, is encouraged by what he saw and determined his side will survive.

He said: "The boys want to play at a certain standard and I think we can do it.

"I believe, individually, we are capable of playing in this league and even the league above.

"But as a team we haven't managed to get it together.

"The performance was much improved. To hold Dover to 12 points has to be encouraging. The coaches were fairly happy after the game and so were the spectators, who tend to have a lot of opinions."

Eastbourne scored a precious 14-12 win at Aylesford Bulls when James Coulthard converted a dramatic late try from Mark Ashworth.

The Sussex side trailed twice. They were 7-0 down until Danny Craven raced over from a quickly-taken tap penalty by Matt Pysden, with Coulthard converting.

Aylesford then opened a 12-7 advantage before Eastbourne edged back ahead and survived heavy pressure in the last few minutes.

Chichester remain just above danger. The renowned poor travellers lost 5-3 at Tonbridge Juddian.

Teenage wings Pat Gibbs and Dan Brock scored two tries apiece as unbeaten leaders Bognor enjoyed a 65-10 home win over Whitstable in London Four South East.

Rob Parry also crossed twice and kicked seven conversions and two penalties for a 30-point haul.

Lee Balchin and vastly experienced lock Steve Dove completed the try haul but player/coach Karl Flynn was unhappy to see Whitstable score their only try with the last move of the match.

Flynn said: "I always want to keep a blank sheet in terms of tries.

"But that was the only poor thing about the display. The handling was good, the defence was good and we kept our discipline because they came to disrupt us the best they could."

Second-placed Hove emerged from an untidy battle at Charlton Park with a pleasing 15-11 win.

Bitterly cold conditions and too much whistle ruined the spectacle for the few spectators present.

But Adam Phillips gave those from Sussex plenty to cheer with a clever finish for the go-ahead try deep into the second half.

Alex Robertson added a penalty for extra insurance against late home pressure in the gathering gloom.

Hove scored in the first minute - Ryan Morlen crossing and Robertson converting - but they were 11-7 down until Phillips struck.

Crowborough's home win over Bromley was never in too much doubt but it took a late try by Botterman, who got up in support of a sweeping backs move, to make sure.

Steve Palmer converted, adding to his two first-half penalties, as Borough claimed a 13-3 verdict.

Hastings and Bexhill eased their relegation concerns with a key 24-10 home win over bottom-placed Horsham.

Jimmy Adams, Jason Holewell and David Northern scored tries for an H&B side who improved as the game wore on.

Adams kicked two penalties and Paul Sandeman added a long-range penalty near the end.

James Young scored Horsham's try with a searing finish to a good backs' move. Will Johnson converted and kicked a penalty.

Horsham coach Mark Sillett said: "We had the capability to win the game but we blew it and they capitalised on our mistakes."

Heathfield and Waldron have the advantage in the race for the Sussex One title after coming from 16-3 down to win 25-16 at home to East Grinstead.

Adam Tennant scored the try which sparked a Heathfield comeback and hooker Rob Lawrence crossed twice with Bryn Jones kicking the rest of the points.

Mark Hassell, Heath's chairman of senior rugby, said: "We dominated the lineout and that swung it for us."

Lock Mark Walker was outstanding for Heathfield, who trailed 9-3 after playing into the wind in the first half and then leaked a try under the posts soon after the re-start as Mark Harrison took a quick tap and got over.

Andy Fairweather converted to go with his three penalties.

Gs skipper James Smith said: "We were looking to win it from there but they have got a really well organised set of forwards."

Brighton won 20-17 at Hellingly, Uckfield had a 22-5 home victory over Seaford, for whom Stuart Webb scored a try, and Pulborough were 21-8 victors over Burgess Hill.

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