WORTHING RAIDERS V STOURBRIDGE

For those who were unable to attend or were there but couldn't bear to watch, there are 5 pages of Worthing RFC reports and pictures in the Worthing Herald after the club's promotion into National 1 on Saturday.

Congratulations and Sussex rugby

Last Saturday’s win by the Raiders at Stoubridge and promotion to National 1 for next season is a fantastic achievement by the players, coaching team, back room support crew and the whole club who have supported the team throughout the season. A fantastic day and season for Worthing RFC and it has capped a memorable season with all our senior teams gaining promotions, our Under 14’s and Under 9’s being crowned Sussex Champions and all teams throughout the Club enjoying individual successes.

All of this would not have been achieved without the support of the Club’s sponsors. Too many to name individually here but seen on our web site. But special mention has to be given to our main Raiders sponsors, without whom our achievement would not have been possible – Yeomans, Darren Crabb Wealth Management, L & S Printing, B & W speakers and Rabbit Group. Thank you one and all. more...

Worthing RFC on South Today

To view the South Today interview with David Hinchliffe follow the link below and go to about 19minutes for the start of the piece about Worthing.

South Today Interview

LAUNCESTON 7 v 19 WORTHING RAIDERS

The Raiders made their second visit of the season to Cornwall to face sixth placed Launceston. The Duchy is never an easy place to get a result and the team were aware that nothing less than a fully committed performance would bring them the desired result. The dry weather had returned following the almost biblical deluge of the previous Saturday at The Rugby Park and the pitch was firm and dry. The team as selected saw 5 changes from their last outing. With Jordan Burns unavailable on England U19 duty against France his place on the wing was taken by Kiba Richards, with Luke Peters starting at 12. Mickey Pointing and Matt Miles exchanged starting and bench roles, as did Sam Hewick and Joe Heaver. Will Stutchbury came in for Scott Barlow and Lewis Maslen filled the vacant backs’ place on the bench. more...

WORTHING RAIDERS 68 v 0 TAUNTON

For the last home game of the season, The Raiders prepared to welcome Taunton Titans to The Rugby Park. Taunton lay fifth from bottom and would be eager to take points from the game, to ensure their National League status for next season. The pitch had withstood the heavy rain in the week reasonably well but, exactly as forecast, the rain started at 11-00am on match day and continued long after the final whistle. The conditions took their toll on both the surface and the game, not to mention the large crowd of supporters. The home side showed a number of changes from the previous week, with Jack Maslen unavailable but Alex Nielsen returning, Nielsen and Jordan Burns took the wing berths. Jamie Redmayne and Sam Hewick exchanged start and bench places, whilst Mickey Pointing returned to take the number 2 shirt and allow Matt Miles a rest on the bench. Ben Dudley also rotated to the bench, allowing Ludi Hopkinson his first start at his preferred position of fly half. more...

Worthing Raiders 47 - 3 Shelford

After their victory at Dings, The Raiders prepared to welcome fifth placed Shelford to The Rugby Park. A poor second half performance had allowed Shelford a last minute score to defeat their visitors in the away fixture, so the Worthing team were keen to take their revenge but knew they were in for a tough afternoon. The good weather had continued for most of the week but heavy rain all day Friday had left the surface firm but sticky. The home side showed two changes from that which defeated Dings. As Joe Burns was unavailable, Jeremy Smith started at tight head, his place on the bench being taken by Ben Henderson and Kieran Leeming exchanged bench and full back positions with Ludi Hopkinson. Lewis Maslen joined the bench to provide extra back cover at the expense of James Arthur. more...

DINGS CRUSADERS 26 v 45 WORTHING RAIDERS

Photograph Courtesy of Andy Lane

After two consecutive home games, The Raiders set out for Bristol and a game at Dings Crusaders. Dry weather during the previous two weeks gave hope of a firm pitch, an important factor on a ground which can be very heavy going when wet. The day started grey and overcast but improved steadily with a strong sun shining by kick off. With Peter Cleveland still unavailable, the team saw only one change from that which had faced Lydney the previous week, James Arthur replacing Jon Whittall on the bench. more...

WORTHING RAIDERS 27 v 22 HARTPURY

Ashtonesque or is it horsepower?

After two games on the road, The Raiders returned to The Rugby Park to face fourth placed Hartpury. A last minute penalty by Joe Govett had secured a 14 – 15 victory for the visitors on their trip to Gloucester and, with both teams eyeing promotion, another close fought encounter was anticipated. Following the previous Sunday’s biblical deluge the weather had been kind and the pitch was in fine condition for the contest. The side showed only one change from that which defeated Bournemouth seven days earlier and that only positional, as Peter Cleveland and Mickey Pointing exchanged starting and bench duties. more...

BOURNEMOUTH 15 v 43 WORTHING RAIDERS

The Raiders set out for Bournemouth on a grey wet morning, with rain turning to sleet and at one point snow, as they headed west. Better weather during the previous week had led them to hope for reasonable conditions as the Dorset club had endured two postponements and an abandoned game since this fixture was rescheduled at Christmas. In the event the pitch was wet and slightly greasy but held up well enough. It was Peter Cleveland’s turn to rotate to the bench with Mickey pointing starting at loose head. Rob Smith was resting a slight neck strain so Joe Heaver started at blind side and Jamie Redmayne at No.8. The backs starting line-up was unchanged from the previous week. On the bench, James Arthur covered the back row with Jeremy Smith providing the second front row replacement. For the backs, Kieran Leeming and Ludi Hopkinson rotated up from the Raiders ‘A’s to allow Jack Metters and Ollie Luke some much needed game time. more...

WORTHING RAIDERS 31 V 15 CHINNOR

Last week’s game having fallen victim to the weather, The Raiders prepared to welcome sixth placed Chinnor to The Rugby Park. The Oxfordshire outfit were responsible for one of The Raiders’ two defeats so far this season, when an out of sorts and much changed Sussex side visited them back in October and the home side were eager to avenge that reverse. The weather had steadily improved during the week but heavy overnight rain left the pitch very wet however Saturday dawned bright and clear and the game was never at risk of postponement. There were a few changes to the side which won at Canterbury, in the forwards Mickey Pointing and Matt Miles exchanged bench and starting roles, Will Stutchbury replaced the unavailable Scott Barlow and Rob Smith reclaimed the No. 8 shirt. In the backs Lewis Maslen got a first start at full back. On the bench Sam Hewick returned from injury, Tom Lanaway replaced Jeremy Smith and Jack Metters took the seat vacated by Lewis Maslen. more...