Worthing get bonus-point win at Canterbury

Raiders bounced back from defeat against Southend in National 2 South last week, with a wind-assisted performance which counter-acted Canterbury’s play down the slope at their home ground.

McLean kicked three conversions and four penalties, while Raiders put down four tries as they used the wind to their advantage after the break.

Worthing team manager David Hinchliffe said: “It is not a nice place to go, as they are usually very strong at home so it was nice take the points and a bonus one. We put together a really solid performance.

“There is a pronounced slope there, and they like to play down it in the second half.

“They don’t mind if they are seven, 10 or even 12 points down at half-time, as they feel the slope is worth that.

“It is a real mental advantage to them, and we had lost the toss and played down in the first half.

“But there was a strong wind coming up the hill and we used that to our advantage after the break.

“When they got back to within two points and had the slope they must have thought here we go, but Matt kicked us some distance again.

“He missed just one conversion and used the wind really well in both open play and for the penalties.”

McLean started his impressive kicking display early by opening the scoring with a penalty to secure a three-point lead after just three minutes.

Canterbury were soon ahead, however. After a failed penalty, they took a lineout in the corner and Pete Kelly drove over to score on nine minutes.

Just one minute later, the hosts gifted Worthing the lead when Greg Sullivan charged down a clearance and crashed over, although McLean then missed his only conversion.

Canterbury’s Max Cantwell then picked up a yellow card, and Raiders made the extra man count and put down two tries during his spell in the bin.

Rob Smith firstly drove to the line from a scrum and Jamie Redmayne touched down, before James Arthur broke down the left and Alex Nielsen, in support, used his pace to go over and McLean’s conversions sealed a 22-5 lead.

With Canterbury back to full strength, Raiders soon had Sullivan sinbinned and the match swung back in Canterbury’s favour.

Andy Pratt went over in the corner before Kelly added his second of the afternoon from a repeat of the earlier catch and drive move, which took the score to 22-15 at the break.

Within minutes of the restart, Kelly completed his hat-trick to reduce the arrears to just two points.

Raiders were soon back in business, though, and McLean sent a penalty sailing between the posts.

Another try from Sullivan, after a set-piece was swung across the pitch, increased Worthing’s lead, which was added to by McLean’s solid conversion.

Not satisfied with already having the last word, McLean continued his display by sending over another two late penalties to put it beyond doubt, and move on to 78 points for the season.

WORTHING: Luke, Govett, Sullivan, McLean, Neilsen, Dudley, Marsh, Emmett, Cleveland, Webster, Coxon-Smith, Pitchford, Arthur, Redmayne, Smith. Used subs: Bruce, Costigan, Hewick, Pearham, Whittle.