Henley Hawks 36 Worthing Raiders 19

With only seven games left in the season, each one is now a cup final for Raiders as they work towards avoiding relegation.

This week Raiders were away to sixth placed Henley Hawks. Traditionally games between these two sides give supporters plenty to enjoy as both play open rugby and high scores are commonplace. Raiders made only three changes to the squad that beat Bury St Edmunds in the previous round. Ollie Crow, Cam Dobinson and Charlie Spencer replaced Tom Derrick, Max Boxall and Sam Myles. Interestingly Raiders’ squad shows ten changes to the squad that played against Henley at home earlier in the season.

On a lovely, sunny afternoon an exciting match was in prospect with plenty to play for. Unfortunately for Raiders, Tom Bowen had to withdraw from the contest when he tweaked an old knee injury in the warmup. Charlie Spencer took his place in the starting fifteen. The visitors kicked off and started well. In the first minutes they played confidently, moving the ball through the phases to put pressure on the Henley defence. This good start failed to produce any points and after nine minutes Henley scored an unconverted try on their first visit into the visitors’ twenty-two. To make matters worse, Jack Lake was injured in the build up to this try and had to miss the rest of the game. Cam Dobinson came off the bench and with some rearrangements Raiders set about the 5-0 deficit.

Raiders responded well and were on the attack deep in Henley’s territory within moments of the restart. From a lineout the ball found its way to Frank Taggart, who burst through the Henley defence, when tackled they retained possession only a few metres from the goal line and after several attempts to cross the line it was Ben Featherstone who eventually touched down. Jack Forrest converted, and the visitors had a 5-7 lead.

Frank Taggart had to leave the field for a few minutes to have repairs to a cut above his eye. Ollie Crow covered for him during this period. Henley missed the chance to retake the lead when they failed with a penalty shot at goal. Both sides looked dangerous with ball in hand, but both made errors, some forced and some self-inflicted. Neither side was able to turn half chances into points.

Just on the half hour mark, the hosts scored a converted try to regain the lead at 12-7. This was rather typical of the way things have gone for Raiders all season, in that the try came as a direct result of giving away a penalty on the halfway line. Henley put the kick into touch a few metres from the try line and then scored from the lineout.

With about five minutes of the half left to play the visitors were building an attack, which looked promising. However, a penalty was awarded against Raiders at a ruck, and to make matters worse Jack Forrest received a yellow card. The half came to a close with the hosts in a five-point lead.

Half time score: Henley Hawks 12 Worthing Raiders 7