A strong performance from Barnes

The visitors' high restart was not secured and loose ball was hacked ahead towards Barnes' line. The defence got the ball not far from the line then soon used an up-and-under. Worthing seemed to get the ball then were awarded the first scrum at the 22. From that after three close recycles their scrumhalf threw the ball back for a drop-goal attempt that just missed. The 22 drop out was returned to touch 29 metres out; Barnes' line-out was thrown too long and taken by the opposition and Worthing's no. 7 Dawe broke clean away and shrugged off a tackle 5 metres out to score at 4½ minutes at the posts. Fullback McLean added.

The high restart resulted in a scrum for the visitors 18 metres into their half. Following that they soon kicked long then won a turnover; just after that Barnes were penalised near halfway. A very good kick took Worthing to their line-out 5 metres out; their pack then set up a drive. The defence against that was loose and the pack drove over comfortably with lock Barlow on the ball after 8 minutes. The conversion was wide.

Hardly having touched the ball they were 12 points down. It is irrelevant to say that during the rest of the match Barnes outscored Worthing by 31 points to 20.

The longer restart was soon returned to touch 13 metres from halfway. The home team released from the line-out and recycled 6 times including recovering from an error then fly-half Strang switched play. After 9 more recycles they were awarded a penalty 13 metres out and kicked for a line-out 6 metres out. From that their pack drove over wide out at 14 minutes with hooker Ruddock on the ball. A very good conversion from fullback Hammett followed.

Barnes just secured the high restart and used an up-and-under; they forced a turnover after visitors got the ball. They in turn were soon turned over; next kicks were exchanged. Worthing recycled twice, the second widest and broke through down the left wing. The defence seemed to hold, just, then apparently after a Barnes' error the ball popped into the Ref.'s hands. The match was restarted with a scrum for the visitors 8 metres out. That resulted in a penalty for Worthing and McLean was asked to kick the points at 19 minutes.

The visitors cleared the longer restart to touch 14 metres from halfway. The line-out was thrown too long and the opposition got the ball and kicked to touch gaining 31 metres. Barnes secured this line-out and their pack kept the ball in at first and advanced before recycling widest. A good three-quarter move gained them a penalty 6 metres from halfway that was kicked for a line-out 28 metres from their opponents' line. From a quick release their inside centre Weightman broke through to 5 metres out. After 9 mostly close recycles the match was stopped for an injury. It was restarted with a 5 metre scrum for the home team. Worthing pushed them back a bit then a no. 8 pick-up and 3 recycles, the last wide, put wing Nickson over at the corner before 25 minutes. The conversion was close but unsuccessful.

Barnes replied to the high restart with an up-and-under then got the ball back after Worthing had it momentarily. They went widest advancing well then recycled close twice before attempting a kick through. This bounced off an opposition player and resulted in a Barnes' knock-on. From the scrum 5 metres into the opposition half Worthing went widest sending their wing named Barnes to the posts after 29 minutes. McLean added.

The visitors cleared the long restart to touch 14 metres from halfway. From the line-out Barnes brought the fullback into the line and after recycling went wide again to get a penalty 28 metres out. They kicked for a line-out 12 metres out. The opposition stole the line-out and soon cleared to touch 17 metres out. From this one Barnes' scrumhalf made a break then the ball was recycled 15 times close to get a penalty 5 metres out that was put into touch for another line-out. Their drive went down and resulted in their penalty. From the next line-out their pack was driven back a bit then got moving and over at the corner with prop Hunter on the ball. An excellent conversion from Hammett followed before the half-time whistle leaving the home team 3 points behind.

3:25:20

Worthing secured the restart and soon went widest; after recycling twice more they were turned over. Barnes recycled 3 times before trying an up-and-under that was marked in the 22. The visitors cleared well to touch 3 metres from halfway. Barnes released to a forward out of the line-out then after 2 recycles the fly-half put a wing through a hole; following 3 more recycles the defence was penalised 10 metres out. The penalty was run and 10 metres out recycled to Strang who stepped then forced his way over at the posts before 4 minutes to give his team the lead for the first time. The fullback added.

Barnes returned the high, mid restart with an up-and-under that resulted in their scrum near halfway. They went wide from that and advanced then kicked diagonally towards touch after one recycle. The kick didn't find touch and the visitors did clear to touch 17 metres from halfway. They then stole that line-out and made good ground with 3 phases before an error gave the home team a scrum a couple of metres inside their half. They were penalised when their scrum was pushed backwards; the kick took Worthing to 15 metres out. After the line-out a peel by their no. 8 was followed by recycling once wide then they recovered from an error and several good passes sent wing Forrest to the corner before 11 minutes, retaking the lead. An excellent conversion by the fullback followed.

Two kicks followed the restart, the second being marked in the 22. The visitors cleared well to touch 6 metres from halfway. This was thrown not-straight; following their scrum Worthing kicked ahead and regained and made more ground. The defence won a turnover near their line and soon used a long up-and-under.

Worthing got the ball and after recycling tight once were awarded a penalty near halfway.

A good kick took them to 16 metres out then from the line-out they soon released wide and got another penalty 14 metres out. They chose to kick for the points but missed.

They kicked back the long 22 drop-out; Barnes tried another up-and-under. Worthing got the ball and advanced with 3 phases before chipping over. “Handbags” preceded a penalty for the visitors at their opponents' 10 metre line. They kicked for a line-out just inside the 22 then threw their line-out not-straight. Two kicks followed the scrum; Barnes got the ball but were penalised immediately after. McLean kicked to extend the lead to 6 points at 24 minutes.

Worthing secured the restart then were quickly dispossessed; they then secured the subsequent up-and-under. They recycled 3 times before they tried an up-and-under. Barnes got the ball and went wide; after 5 recycles there was another up-and-under. This resulted the Ref. Awarding a scrum to Barnes but words from one of their players resulted in a penalty against them 2 metres inside their half. McLean's long-range attempt was short and Barnes cleared to touch 11 metres from halfway. Worthing went wide and recycled close 3 times before the opposition forced an error resulting in their scrum at their 10 metre line. They got the ball away under pressure then kicked for territory; two more kicks followed, the last to touch 5 metres from Worthing's line. They stole the line-out then put together 6 phases, the last one wide, before being forced into touch 6 metres out. Barnes stole a second line-out and recycled 9 more times before the game was stopped for injuries. It was restarted with their scrum 5 metres out. The ball was got away under pressure then after 10 more close phases flanker Van Der Poel got over near the corner. The fly-half's conversion which might have won the game was unsuccessful before the final whistle.

Dry, damp, quite cold, no wind; the pitch good.