With only three games left in the season, Raiders were away at Sevenoaks, still trying to avoid relegation from National 2 East.
A five-point win was the only acceptable result for the visitors even then it might all be in vain if the sides above them picked up points in their matches.
This week the selection had been a major problem. Six changes had to be made to the side that beat Colchester in the previous game. Injuries prevented Fraser Bruce, Harrison Dakin, Frank Taggart and Sam Cook from playing. The injuries and unavailability list presented a very interesting selection in the front row, where Grant Gatford stepped up to make his first start of the season at the age of 49, and alongside him was his son George. Not often at this level can there have been many, if any instances of a father and son playing together in the front row. Tom Meyer returned after missing the last game and Jack Whyte and Joe Beal were playing their first game for Raiders after performing well in the 2nd XV. The squad on show today had fourteen changes from that which played against Sevenoaks at home earlier in the season. That pretty much sums up how the season has gone for Raiders.
Raiders kicked off with a strong wind at their backs. The first five minutes were dominated by the visitors as they maintained possession and patiently developed their attack. Eventually the ball reached Charlie Spencer wide on the left wing. He evaded the attempted tackle from the last defender and sprinted twenty metres to touch down. Josh Taylor converted to give them an encouraging early lead at 0-7.
Sevenoaks hit straight back with a converted try of their own to level the score at 7-7. The hosts scored a second converted try in the sixteenth minute after some good interplay in midfield. They now had a 14-7 lead.
Raiders were playing well in patches, but prone to making handling errors at vital moments.
Sevenoaks were dangerous with ball in hand and following a neat chip kick they were able to regain possession and score their third try. This was unconverted but after twenty minutes they had extended their lead to 19-7.
With twenty-five minutes played Rob Ure ran hard at the defence in midfield, when he was tackled, he off loaded neatly to Kemp Price who sprinted for the try line from forty-five metres, with a couple of changes of direction on the way he evaded all attempts to bring him down and he touched down for the visitors’ second try of the afternoon. Josh Taylor again converted to close the gap to 19-14.
The game was evenly balanced, and both sides were creating chances with their entertaining rugby. Josh Taylor narrowly missed a long-range penalty attempt in the thirty-fifth minute and very shortly after left the field with a leg injury. Joe Beal replaced him to make his debut for Raiders.
With the clock on forty minutes the visitors had a penalty which they tapped and moved quickly to Charlie Spencer on the wing. His dive for the touch down just came up short and the ball went forward. This was the last action of the half and the referee blew his whistle to indicate it was time for a well earned break for the players.
Half time score: Sevenoaks 19 Worthing Raiders 14
The game was restarted after the interval by Sevenoaks, who now had the benefit of the strong wind behind them. Both sides continued to play an open game giving the large crowd plenty of entertainment.
An excellent break by Jack Forrest, took Raiders fifty metres up field but unfortunately his off load in the tackle didn’t go to hand and the chance was lost. As the midway point of the half drew near, an excellent 50-22 kick by Sevenoaks gave them a great attacking position for their lineout. They did not waste this opportunity and scored another converted try to open a twelve-point gap at 26-14. Raiders emptied their bench to bring fresh ‘bodies’ into the contest and were rewarded with a try almost immediately.
From a lineout the ball was moved into the centre of the field and Kemp Price cut a great line to burst through the Sevenoaks’ backline and race away to score his second try of the afternoon. With the conversion missed the visitors closed the gap to 26-19 with plenty of time left to play.
Just before the half hour mark, Raiders were under pressure on their own five-metre line. Throwing caution to the wind they moved the ball across their backline and into the hands of winger Charlie Spencer, he rounded his opposite number and sprinted the length of the pitch to score wide on the left. The conversion went wide but the gap was now down to two points at 26-24.
At this point Raiders were playing well and looking as though they might take the victory, until after thirty-three minutes Sevenoaks scored another converted try to stretch their lead to 33-24.
Undeterred Raiders hit back with a try from Ed Hartley, who broke out of defence and ran seventy metres to touch down. The conversion went wide but with a few minutes remaining Raiders were only four points in arrears at 33-29.
Unfortunately for Raiders it was Sevenoaks that scored the final points, with an unconverted try, and thus they secured the victory.
Full time score: Sevenoaks 38 Worthing Raiders 29
This was an evenly matched, entertaining game that could have gone either way towards the end. Considering all the injuries and late changes to the side, this was a very creditable performance by the Raiders’ squad, but obviously not the result they needed.
Congratulations to all those who played for Raiders today, it was a really spirited performance and special mention to the father and son combination of Grant and George Gatford in the front row. Both had great games that they will remember for a long time.
Sadly, it now looks as if Raiders will only have two more games left in National 2 East.
Referee: Tom Bird
Scorers:
Tries: Charlie Spencer (2), Kemp Price (2), Ed Hartley
Conversions: Josh Taylor (2)
Team: 1. Grant Gatford 2. George Gatford 3. Ben Featherstone 4. Jack Lake 5. Elliott Powell 6. Ollie Crow 7. Rob Ure 8. Kemp Price 9. Jake Rutherford 10. Cam Dobinson 11. Charlie Spencer 12. Josh Taylor 13. Jack Forrest – Captain 14. Ed Hartley 15. Tom Meyer
Replacements: 16. Jack Whyte 17. Max Ravaudet 18. Alex Havers 19. Joe Beal 20. Dylan Worsley
