It was the day when the most famous trophy in world rugby came to Sussex.

Fans of all ages and of various nations flocked to Bognor to see the William Webb Ellis Cup - nicknamed Bill - on display.

But for some of those people who provide the very heartbeat of the English club game, the only prize that mattered was a promotion play-off against Old Wimbledonians.

That is the likely reward for whoever comes second in London Three South East, and Lewes's second-half revival clinched a 22-7 win to keep them on course.

They need victory at home to Tonbridge Juddian a week on Saturday to make sure of runners-up spot behind Dartfordians, whose last game is at third-placed Chichester. You got the feeling Saturday's game was a sideshow compared to what was a very English celebration by the clubhouse.

"Orderly queues, no food or drink in the marquee, no touching the Cup, no touching the display cabinet, move along quickly, make a donation to the Wooden Spoon Society."

The instructions over the loudspeakers came fast and frequent from the master of ceremonies.

Lewes coach Paul Taylor must have wished he could have got his message over with equal force as his side trailed 7-5 in the first half.

Smart work by scrum half Matt Sole sent Sean Taylor in for Lewes's early try while Bognor hooker Paul Mitchell was in the sin bin.

The hosts got back in the game, though, and centre Tom Spurle came in on a lovely angle to take a scissors pass from Rob Parry and carve his way to the line, with Parry converting.

Lewes stepped up a gear after the break as half backs Sole and Dave Tyrell fired them forward with some astute tactical kicking.

Tyrell's penalty edged them ahead and he hit the post from an easier attempt before lock Terry Jordan, arguably the most forceful and certainly the most vocal player on either side, made sure everyone knew he had touched the ball down on the line after being driven over from a lineout.

Home skipper Karl Flynn, who had denied Dave Hemsley a try with a big hit by the corner flag, let his men know the score in no uncertain terms.

In his broad northern accent, he belowed: "I tell you sum'aht. This game's not over."

It was, though, when Tyrell converted both that try and a score from Hemsley following Jordan's clean lineout take, though Bognor rallied late on and almost scored themselves.

Lewes look well equipped to go up. They are strong up front, have talented youngsters who can only improve and possess strong runners in the backs.

Sometimes strength comes before subtlety, notably with the persistent use of centre Mark Barnard as a battering ram, and that could be found out at a higher level. Bognor proved that with some stern defence, especially a shuddering first-half hit by Stuart Pearce.

In fact, Lewes's best moment of midfield creativity came when they used Barnard as a decoy and unleashed enterprising full back Mike Rusthall for a run.

Coach Taylor said: "We knew this would be a tough game. Bognor have had some good results at home.

"I was very disappointed with our first half but we had words at half time and we went back out and performed. The potential with this team is there. It's just the consistency we need."

They also need one more win to make the play-off after Chi's comeback at Gravesend. Trailing 10-0 after an hour, they conjured tries from Paul Butt and replacement Steve Bradford, both goaled by Nick Stanton, to take the race for second spot to the final day of the season.