Worthing 2nds 18 Brockenhurs 31

Worthing went to the New Forrest and started to take care of business in this semi final clash in the southern region of the performance competition. A great start with all of the pressure being provided by the Worthing college wolf pack, but huff and puff as they would the Brockenhurst house of bricks stood firm. This up until a great bit of counter rucking by Walsh got Worthing the first 5 pointer of the game.

 

More effort and all of the territory but no more points to show for the efforts. Disappointing as the visitors played all of the rugby and the home side were struggling with the pace of the game.

At the half Worthing looked at building on couple of areas, the main one being the attacking through the mid field where Jordan and Stirling were the class of the field. Hills was running the game well and Hubbard was working very hard to get the forwards over the ball and get the backs moving.

 

With the start of the 2^nd period Worthing had a slope and gusty wind to contend with, but no fear the visitors were playing some very nice rugby and looking as if they could deal with anything thrown their way.

 

Not so much…… there was a period in the second half where it all went a little bit northwards.  4 unanswered scores in 20mins put paid to the Worthing charge, or did it? From somewhere some of the chaps got their game faces back on. Trys were scored by Worthing getting themselves back into the mix with the front row really starting to take care of business, Burgess, Chatfield and Wigzell doing a little bit of a demolition job being ably supported by the back five. Birch and Patrick won their share of line out possession and the well balanced back row was destructive, combative and organised (although White did go missing on occasion).

A good decision to take an easy 3 pointer with 5mins to go left the score 24-18 to the home side and Worthing continued to pressure up the home D. unfortunately on the last play fo the game Worthing were turned over and conceded the counter punch that could not be answered.

 

Final score Brockenhurst 1^st 31 Worthing 2^nd 18. A great effort by the Worthing side with vital and valuable contributions made by all concerned and a mega thank you to those travelling players that did not get to take the field your efforts especially welcomed.

 

So what can we taken from this nearly story? A tale of close but not close enough or we are just not good enough. Well I’d venture to the former, chances to win but not taken, players playing well but not well enough, a few mistakes cost the place in the final against Collyers.

 

So in conclusion here is the naughty little secret, player responsibility, to take control of the game when given the chance, to condition themselves during the off season and maintain with good nutrition and focus during the season.

 

Winners win, losers lose and blame someone or something else and quitters inevitably quit being forgotten and lost to history. Pride dictates we bounce back showing pride and Wingmanship to each other and take responsibility so we can return victorious again.

 

Congratulations and good luck to Brock, the second of two great games this year between us both, lets hope we catch a break on the flip side.