Raiders lose away to Bishop’s Stortford

The hosts went ahead on 16 minutes when Tom Whiteley touched down in the corner after a crossfield kick.

That was the way things stayed until half-time but Bishop’s Stortford extended their advantage seven minutes into the second half when Michael Gallagher sprinted over.

Raiders responded six minutes later when Sam Hewick touched down after a powerful maul from the forwards from a five-metre line-out.

The game was to turn in Bishop’s Stortfords favour when Raiders’ Stan South was sinbinned in the 57th minute.

The hosts capitalised immediately when Whiteley took a quick penalty five metres from the Raiders line and sprinted over to score his second try.

Despite Raiders’ best efforts, Bishop’s Stortford extended their lead in the 68th minute after they charged down an attempted clearance close to the Raiders line and, after a couple of drives from the forwards, Thomas Coleman received the ball to touch down, with Whiteley adding the extras.

Richard Gill touched down Bishop’s Stortford’s fifth try after the hosts drove forward from a line-out on 76 minutes and Whiteley converted.

Shortly afterwards, Hewick scored a consolation try for Raiders after a series of drives from the backs and forwards from the halfway line.

Worthing remain fifth in the table but are now nine points behind Bishop’s Stortford, who have climbed to third.