White delighted with full Raiders debut

White, 22, made a winning bow as Raiders produced a dazzling display to come out 29-15 victors at Roundstone Lane against National League 2 South high-flyers Bishop’s Stortford.

The game provided White with his first competitive start, after he had featured as a substitute in the 28-22 defeat at leaders Cambridge the previous week.

It has been a rapid rise for Raiders’ latest talent, who has been thrust into the first-team picture. White played at Hove before making the move to Worthing a couple of seasons ago.

The second row studied at Leeds Metropolitan University and returned to his home town last year.

Impressive displays put him in head coach Kieron Dawson’s thoughts and White admitted making his Roundstone Lane bow was a little nerve-racking beforehand but he quickly got into the swing of things.

He said: “Going into the game, I was a little nervous knowing I was going to make my first start.

“I got a taste at Cambridge and just wanted to be out there again in the next game.

“Fortunately, I got the call to play at second-row alongside Scott Barlow.”

White admitted his nerves quickly began to diminish, helped by the fact he was playing alongside experienced campaigners like Rob Smith, Barlow, Matt McLean and Matt Farnes.

He added: “I was very nervous beforehand but playing with guys like Rob, Scott and both Matts really helped me settle in fine.

“They have great experience at this level and Scott particularly was really good with me in the game.”

Now White has had a taste of first-team rugby, he wants to try to cement his place in the side as this campaign draws to a close.

Raiders have seven games left this season and White wants to be involved in as many matches as possible.

He said: “It was a great win for us against Bishop’s Stortford and nice for me to get that full debut.

“What that has done is given me a taste for first-team action at this level.

“I just want to keep performing at a good level and, hopefully, that will get me starts.

“This is a great club with so many great players with experience and a number of good young guys.

“We also get quite a few loans in from Harlequins and Saracens, it’s great to play with those and to learn a lot from them as they are at professional clubs.”

After a free week, ninth-placed Raiders return to action on Saturday with a trip to fourth-from-bottom Chinnor.

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