Coulson's Chatter - Worthing College Development XV vs. The Weald 1st XV

Worthing U18 Development 29 v Weald 1st XV 24

A very tough and enjoyable encounter for the young and energetic Worthing Development side. The sun was doing its best to raise the temperature above the acceptable but a smattering of trees around the ground allowed those who sought it to find the shade while those that desired the final rays of summer got their wish.

Worthing started confidently building some nice phases of play showing that there was plenty of skill and determination in the side and that talent was not just one side deep in this programme. And neither does it appear the gift of giving penalties away, which seems to be an in built trait that I could well do without experiencing for the entire season.

Be that as it may Worthing did try to get down to the business of playing rugby and were successful in stretching the Weald side on a narrow but lengthy pitch. The pre game changes were putting a little pressure on the visitors as combinations had to be changed although with this being the first run of the season it could be argued that no combinations have been created.

Worthing filed to break down the home side in the early encounters but did come close on a number of occasions. Unfortunately for the boys in blue the larger and more experienced side were beginning to dominate the physical encounters in mid field and made yards with only poor execution from the Weald side saving the visitors.

Worthing’s lack of a kicking game in the early encounters placed pressure on the side to make good decisions and run everything. Colevel- Levene was especially adept at this making meters on more than one occasion being well supported by Wilson and Biagi on his numerous breaks.

After 10mins a Worthing line out in on their own 22m was won then a spill in the midfield was picked up by the home side and run under the posts. 7-0 Weald.
Immediately after this the Green and Golds launched another attack which went round the outside of the Worthing defence and was expertly finished from 40m by the left wing again under the horns and it looked like being a long old day at the office. 14-0 Weald.

This seemed to be the catalyst for Worthing to start playing and play they did. Worthing gained a line out on the Weald 10m line, won well at 2 and drove, Mills made a half break through Post and Guard to give momentum. Thompson broke and dished to Captain Hancorn attacking the horns. A mini maul ensued and Thompson broke against the grain and was held just short, quick ruck ball again allowing Worthing to attack towards the right hand side of the posts. Pestridge was held up by three players but the ball was well secured by Baker and shipped on by the halfback Mills. At this stage Pestridge was guilty of trying to smash through again and cost a try by not putting in the two players outside him, but a silver lining, ball recycled. While slow the ball was secure and the home side had not put enough players on the right hand side leaving just enough space and towards the top end of his effective distance, Mills dived over from 2 meters. The kick was not converted. 14-5 Weald.

By this stage Worthing had gotten themselves into the game but the continued lack of a kicking game placed them under more and more pressure and created pressure. The forwards were working hard but could not gain superiority and the midfield defence was weak at best. Players were continually falling off tackles and this lad directly to the penalty shot at goal for the Green and Golds on 25mins. 17-5 Weald.

Colwell-Levene again ran well on the counter attack beating 4 defender on his most recent run. Thompson was again making meters from the base of the scrum but the support again fell from its feet and good field position was wasted.

A scrum to Worthing at centre field lad to a break by Mullen, C Wilson cleared up and a short arm wrestle between the forward packs was won by the visitors. The ball was moved wide and Ware made an instant impact making meters and taking 3 defenders with him. This created quick ruck ball and Baker put it wide to Thompson, then on to Mullen, he was held up over the line with Wilson open outside him (another overlap blown). Fortunately Mr Goodwin the official brought play back for a penalty directly in front of the posts 5m out. A simple 3points, not for this team, a wide pass to the left wing and Cosgrove was there for 5pts (and 5 to his fantasy score) 17-10 Weald.

Changes at the half and a few words of robust wisdom from the coach made some difference. Worthing making the first score of the 2nd period with some good inter-team play, resulting in a try for Pestridge after some good handling in the backs on quick ruck ball from the forwards. 17-15 Weald.


Credit to the Weald they were up next on the score sheet with a 7 pointer, 24-15 Weald and it looked like the wind had been taken from the sails.

Worthing put 5mins of pressure on resulting in Thompson crossing and Baker converting. 24-22 Weald.

Worthing then created the finest moment of the game turning over in midfield, one quick ruck later and Calleja is dropping the hammer from 35m. T-R-Y, one for the front row 24-27 Worthing with the extras Baker made it 24-29.

At the final whistle Worthing had crept over the line. With the only time they had been in front was after the last score, but thats the best time to be in front, because before you finish first you have to finish.

Fife, Cosgrove and Calleja went well in the front row, Williamson, Rich, Wilson (H) and Lawal worked hard but will need to contribute more if they are to cement a place in the side. The back row was strong Thompson was able to play a loose game owing to the work that Hancon and Connolly did in the tight and around the field. Mills started to get the game going in the latter part of the first and into the second half and his combination with Mullen will be a grower. Bone, Baker, Pestridge as Centres did not fire on all cylinders but did contribute greatly in their own way, although a balance of distribution and destruction must be sought after by Baker and Pestridge if they are to be a real threat. Wilson (C) had a good debut in his first ever rugby game making one tremendous tackle and starting to read the game while his wing partner Biagi had the best game ever for the college, supporting well and making one crunching tackle in the first half. Colwell- Levene was a constant threat from 15 and counter attacked dangerously every time he received the ball. Ware ran hard and fast with the ball keeping the defence honest and stressing his opposite man. While Roberts made good contributions in the second half when he came on.

So a good character building win, showing if you Contest possession, Go forward, Support and build Continuity then you can Build pressure and then you can win. Good effort and Good win to all, see you Friday at 7.30am.