Worthing 2ndXV 25 Central Sussex 0

Worthing academy 2^nd XV waited for their opponents until 2.40pm on a graying afternoon in late September and finally made a 3pm start.

 

The game was error strewn in the opening periods and players were trying to get into the game and make their mark on proceedings. Then 4mins in the ball was expertly won by Arnold at the front of the line and the ball eventually made its way across to Bone hitting the line at pace in the 15 channel. He beat 3players including 1 substantial fend then carried two players over the line andthe official eventually gave the score. The kick was unsuccessful.

 

The following minutes were less than exciting with further scrappy phases being played out.

Worthing were beginning to dominate the scrum and line out with Birch and Arnold doing most of the damage to the Central Sussex ball.

Hatchard was having the game of is life making numerous tackles and providing the team with good turnover ball. Walker was doing a good job of winning the opposition scrum ball along with his partners in crime Wigzell and Smart.

At this stage the rucking from the Worthing side was beginning to be a real difference between the sides with the extra organization of the home side showing through. Central Sussex put a plenty of pressure on the Worthing line for a short period of time towards the end of the  half before another Bone run relieved the pressure.

At this stage of the game the Worthing forwards were out shining their back teammates with the backs not using the ball to the best their capability or making the best decisions as a result it kept the visitors in touch at only 5-0 down.

 

Asolid Wilson clearance kick managed to reduce the pressure on from the Worthing22m. This was chased up by the impressive Bone who jumped high into the failing autumnal light and beat the Central fullback to the ball.  Quick support from Arnold and the effective Birch took the game into the Central 22m where Birch received a short arm to the snoz, whereupon it morphed into a nose of a 30yr pro boxer (one that hadn’t won many fights and lost most by knock out). He came off for blood and Anderson moved to wing with the energetic P White moving to the back row.

The new look forward pack then had Two backs in it as both P White and Newson were in the Lock and Flank positions, giving height if not weight to the young pack.

 

However in the second half Worthing started to outstretch their opponents with some patches of very tidy play.

While still running laterally across the pitch far too often, Hart did manage to feed Bone who traveled 60m beating 3 players without being touched. As a back three player that used to run reasonably well I can tell you that the performance of the Worthing 15 was exceptional in every facet. Bone ran with balance and poise(ironic seeing as he so regularly falls over his own feet) to score two tries on the day and play a part in another.

 

Cook manned up as he continued to play with an arm injury and was rewarded by scoring after some very good forwards work taking him to 2 trys from 2 games.

The best team try of the day was arguably scored by debutant Anderson after good work from N White and a delicious pass from man of the match Bone.

The  final try came from more good Worthing work a great pass from Walker put N White in for the score.

 

In summation lots of positives for the team expertly lead by the captain Rogers(playing through illness- man points), excellent scrummaging by Wigzell, Walker and Smart all of whom contributed around the field and Walker’s darts were simply scrumptious throughout.

The second row players Birch, Arnold and Newson provided good line out ball all game and the back row players put the opposition under pressure all day. Hatchard was quick over the ball, Cook was industrious, Rogers carried well and back row debutant P White was brilliant considering his lack of experience he also made the biggest hit of the day oooohhh booomb!

Parker was active and a handful when on the ball, Keith got the backs moving, Wilson was energetic and a good link player. Hart put width on the ball and cut good lines, while the back three were all dangerous and scored 4 tries between them.(Bone 2, N White, Anderson)

 

Lots to work on but a good win against a big and talented side. Well done chaps.