Match report by Colin Coulson
The first home game of the season and the opposition was the same as the last game of the previous season, Barnes. Raiders beat Barnes with the final kick of the game on that occasion but as one of the only three teams to win their first two matches a tough encounter was to be expected.
With Fraser Bruce and Curtis Barnes still on the injured list and Will Rigelsford unavailable, Iago Davies returned at scrum half, Ethan Clarke to the front row and Cam Dobinson to the bench. Four of the squad were also making their home debut, Alfie Ambrose, Will Rawlinson, Harry Alexander and Fin Glass.
Another hot, sunny afternoon and conditions were right for an open, entertaining match.
Raiders kicked off and were quickly into their stride, controlling possession in the first few minutes.
With four minutes played the home side began an attack in their own territory, the ball moved to the left across the backs until Harrison Sims made a clean break through the visitors’ defensive line. With forty metres to go he sold a neat dummy to the final defender and sprinted away to score the first try of the afternoon. Louis Ellis converted to give Raiders the early lead at 7-0.
The next twenty minutes belonged to the visitors as they dominated possession and field position. They ran powerfully with ball in hand, broke first up tackles and off-loaded skilfully and in doing so scored three tries during this period. With only one of these converted by the mid-point of the half they had a 7-17 lead.
Raiders worked hard in all departments and began to drag themselves back into the game. They continued to move the ball between the forwards and backs in their search for another score.
Slowly they regained parity with possession and started to put the visitors under pressure in the attacking third of the pitch.
After twenty-nine minutes Raiders were on the offence, spreading the ball wide when possible and keeping it close when necessary. It took a powerful run from Frank Taggart to break the defensive line before the ball found its way into Louis Ellis’s hands for him to score against his old club. His conversion narrowed the gap to 14-17.
Barnes hit back with a penalty to stretch the lead to 14-20.
With both sides playing entertaining rugby there was plenty for the crowd of nearly four hundred to enjoy.
As the half was nearing its conclusion it was Raiders who were looking as if they might get the next score, as indeed they did. Following an excellent build up of flowing rugby Jack Forrest made a half break that allowed him to get the ball away to Harrison Sims who dived in for his second try of the game. Louis Ellis again converted and the home side were back in the lead at 21-20 as the referee brought the half to a close.
A mixed first half for the home side, a good start, a sleepy middle and a much stronger final fifteen minutes.
Half time score: Worthing Raiders 21 Barnes 20
The home side brought Cam Dobinson and Tom Sunray on for Iago Davies and Joe Knight at the interval.
Barnes restarted the game and Raiders were on the attack straight away. Jack Forrest made a great individual run, brushing aside many attempted tackle. He took play deep into the visitors’ territory and it looked like a score was on the cards until a penalty was awarded to Barnes at the breakdown and they were able to relieve the pressure.
Having moved the game deep into the Raiders’ territory, Barnes were awarded a penalty from which they chose to have a shot at the posts. With the successful kick they retook the lead 21-23, with eight minutes of the half played.
The visitors followed this with a converted try to stretch their lead to 21-30.
At this point there was no need for panic in the home side’s performance as they looked capable of retrieving the situation until with eleven minutes played Dan Sargent received a red card for a head-on-head collision.
Undeterred the home side continued to play well and when Harrison sims intercepted a Barnes’ pass in his own half, they nearly got the next, vital score but were thwarted when forced into touch a few metres short of the goal line.
Finlay Glass came on when the next scrummage took place and Tom Golder was the player sacrificed. Shortly after Iago Davies returned in place of Louis Ellis.
In the next few moments the game was lost to Raiders. Jack Lake was yellow carded and immediately after Jack Doorey-Palmer was red carded. With Raiders down to twelve players there was little hope of a recovery.
The game became quite farcical as Barnes had numerous scrums close to the Raiders’ goal line, which produced either penalties or tries, there being very little the Raiders’ depleted side could do to control the situation.
Barnes scored two converted tries to extend the lead to 21-44 in this period.
The home side continued to rotate players from the bench to give individuals a breather.
When the yellow card for Jack Lake was completed Alfie Ambrose returned in his place.
With thirteen men the home side showed great spirit and continued to play good rugby in their attempt to get a fourth, bonus point try.
Iago Davies and Ethan Clarke both made impressive breaks through the Barnes’ defence and eventually earned a scrum close to their line. Although the scrum was under great pressure, the ball was won and skipper Jack Forrest broke through to score. Tom Bowen converted to close the gap to 28-44.
At this stage and in the circumstances, Raiders had achieved all they could by getting the bonus point and when Barnes scored again it was of no consequence in the greater scheme of things.
With the score now 28-51 the game came to its conclusion and the home side were left to wonder what might have been if the final twenty minutes had been played with fifteen versus fifteen.
Full time score: Worthing Raiders 28 Barnes 51
An entertaining, competitive match had become a one-sided affair in the latter stages.
Against a very good Barnes side the effort put in by the Raiders’ side cannot be doubted and their ability to manufacture that fourth try was nothing short of exceptional.
Referee: Mike Lamb
Scorers:
Try: Sims (2), Ellis, Forrest
Con: Ellis (4)
Team:
Ethan Clarke 2. Jack Doorey-Palmer 3. Dan Sargent 4. Jack Lake (VC) 5. Tom Golder 6. Alfie Ambrose 7. Joe Knight 8. Frank Taggart 9. Iago Davies 10. Louis Ellis 11. Will Rawlinson 12. Harrison Sims 13. Jack Forrest (C) 14. Charlie Spencer 15. Tom Bowen
Replacements:
Grant Gatford 17. Fin Glass 18. Harry Alexander 19. Cam Dobinson 20. Tom Sunray
Enzo’s Man of the Match: Jack Forrest presented with restaurant voucher by Rob Lee of Carpenter Box, match sponsors, and Mel Peters on behalf of Enzo’s Italian Restaurant.
Attendance: 396