Worthing Raiders 68, Redruth 21

Redruth returned empty-handed from their trip to the south coast as Worthing stepped up the gas in the second half to complete a ten-try rout, writes Bill Hooper.

Worthing, who are coached by former Cornish Pirates director of rugby Ian Davies, began well scoring an early try through flanker John Dawe, allowing fly-half Matt McLean to kick the first of his nine successful conversions.

Despite the early set-back Redruth got back into it through the forwards with No.8 Brad Howe scoring at the foot of the post, allowing fly-half Richie Kevern to level matters.

The Redruth forwards looked to be getting on top gaining good ground but sadly were unable to get the score their play deserved. Instead Worthing bagged a second converted try through lock John Spurgeon.

Worthing then had try-scorer Dawe yellow-carded during which time Redruth again levelled the scores with a try from lock Todd Prisk, converted by Kevern and it remained that way until half-time.

The game was effectively won for Worthing during the opening nine minutes of the second half when they scored four tries to race into an unassailable 40-14 lead.

Three of the tries came from long-range as the Worthing tormented the Redruth defence. McLean bagged two of the tries with wing Jack Maslen and centre Jack Forrest getting the others.

Redruth dug deep and looked to work their way back into the game. The forwards looked to put on some pressure which led to another yellow card for Worthing this time hooker Elliott Luke as the home side infringed once too often.

From the next play Worthing went down again giving referee Richard Haughton little option but to award Redruth a penalty-try.

The Reds had a sniff of their own try-scoring bonus point but sadly they couldn’t get the fourth try. Instead Worthing went on to compete the win scoring a further four tries in the final twenty minutes through winger Curtis Barnes with a brace, scrum-half Matt Walsh and Maslen for his second of the game with the final play.

Redruth head coach Pale Nonu said: “We identified that they were strong outside and that we had to stop them getting around us. We looked a bit flat our energy levels weren’t there. In the second half they picked us off clinically. It’s a big wake up call for some of our youngsters finding their feet at this level. We will re-group on Tuesday night and look to put right what went wrong. We have another long trip to Guernsey next weekend with a late kick-off."

Worthing: Maslen, Boyland, Richards (Sims 59), Forrest, Barnes, McLean, Walsh; Birch (Cook 69), Luke (Gearing-Grief 61), Gatford (Sassone 27), Lake, Spurgeon (Dingle 61), Whittall, Dawe, Perkins.

Worthing scores: Tries, Dawe, Spurgeon, McLean (2), Maslen (2), Forrest, Barnes (2), Walsh, Cons, MacLean (9)

Redruth: Simmonds, Janes (Bonds 52), Simmons, Gilbert (Tucker 65), Cornish, Kevern, Stevens; Salt (Hodge 49), Barnes (Salt 62), Wiliams (Tompsett 49), Prisk (Gilbert 76), Hattam, Clemson, Grubb, Howe (Harper 52).

Redruth scores: Tries, Howe, Prisk, Penalty, Cons, Kevern (2)

Referee: Richard Haughton (RFU)

Crowd: 537