One that might have been

Worthing seemed to win this by their significant advantage in kicking long to get good positions deep in the opposition 22 then good retention got them over the line. Barnes' defence prevented 50% of these.

Barnes conceded the first penalty early when in possession then got loose ball just after defending a line-out close to their 22. They stole the second line-out at their 10 metre line and kicked to touch to 28 metres from the opposition line and again stole the ball. They were forced backwards in possession then recycled twice before chipping through the line and the Ref. went back to award a penalty at Worthing's 10 metre line near centre field before 4 minutes. Fullback O'Toole kicked the points.

The restart went into touch off an opposition player 17 metres into the visitors' half. From this line-out Worthing advanced to their scrum outside the 22. After it they were forced back before kicking to the wing and getting a penalty again just outside the 22. This was kicked for a line-out 9 metres out. Their pack set for a drive; this broke up close to the line. They recycled once close to the breakdown then wider to send wing Wilcockson over near the posts after 9 minutes. Centre McLean added.

The next 15 minutes produced little advantage for either team while Worthing had the better of possession. Before 25 minutes the home team defended well a Barnes' attacking sequence of 8 phases in the 22 then they got possession from a scrum and broke out with 2 phases to get a penalty 15 metres into the other half. The kick took them to 15 metres out. The pack set for a drive from the line-out and got close then were awarded another penalty and a man advantage for 10 minutes. They chose to have a scrum 5 metres out; they first kept the ball in then released it and recycled 7 times, the last wide to put McLean over at the corner before the half hour. His conversion was wide, 12 - 3.

Worthing continued strongly after the restart and got close to the opposition line. An error gave the visitors a put-in 5 metres out; they soon kicked to touch at halfway then stole the line-out. They recycled 4 times then launched an up-and-under. Worthing dealt with this then a potentially dangerous tackle led to a red card for a Barnes' player at 35 minutes. The penalty was awarded to Worthing and neither side gained any advantage before halftime.

Early in the second half Worthing dropped the ball receiving an up-and-under. From the scrum 5 metres into the opposition half Barnes went wide and recycled 3 times before kicking to the line. Worthing kicked the 22 drop-out straight to touch. From the scrum back at the 22 no.8 Chambers picked up and made yards then sent flanker Napier over near the posts inside 4 minutes. O'Toole added.

Three kicks followed the restart, the last to touch at the visitors' 22. Worthing threw this not-straight. There were 3 more kicks after the scrum then a Worthing line-out that they failed to secure then 2 turnovers. Next Barnes launched an up-and-under; the opposition dealt with this, recycled once then chipped over the line and regained. They put together a good set of phases which got them a penalty 7 metres out near the posts after 9 minutes. McLean kicked the points.

Worthing replied to the long restart with a touch kick 7 metres back into the visitors' half. Barnes released to centre and made yards; two more phases took them to their put-in 20 metres into the opposition half. After first keeping the ball in they broke blind getting to 5 metres out. They put together 7 mostly close phases without advancing then chipped through the line. An error by the defence gave them a scrum 12 metres out. From it they again went blind and after one recycle scrum-half Franklin ran a diagonal line to go over after 15 minutes not far from the posts. O'Toole added for Barnes to go in front for the first time in the match.

They secured the restart and ran the ball, recycling 3 times before kicking over. Worthing dealt with this then sent an excellent kick into touch 6 metres from the visitors' line. Barnes threw the ball at least as far as the middle of the line-out and either to allow for the varying wind or perhaps accidentally it was thrown more towards Worthing than straight. Worthing did get the ball and their pack drove over wide out with prop Burns on the ball to regain the lead. This at 19 minutes; the conversion was wide.

The next dozen minutes produced no significant advantage until another good kick gained significant advantage for Worthing. They then put together 6 good phases to get a penalty 13 metres from their opponents' line. This was kicked for a line-out 5 metres out. They did not secure this and another one for the visitors immediately followed. Worthing dealt with an up-and-under from Barnes and kept possession for 5 phases before losing it. Barnes broke out going wide to get a penalty at the other 10 metre line near centre field at 33 minutes. O'Toole's kick fell short. Before the final whistle Worthing set up another good attack from just inside their own half with a handful of phases and were denied by the defence near the visitors' line.

There was light rain through most of the match with a light varying wind, played on a good pitch