Canterbury responded quickly and their bustling forwards started to influence the play with flanker Peter Kelly always in close support. A long kick out of defence by them took them deep into the Worthing half. The defence failed to kill the ball and the onrushing forwards drove to the line for a try by second row Christopher Hinnkins.

Soon after the restart another long kick out of defence into the home right corner allowed the visitors to steal the line out. Willem Baars slotted through to score the try to make it 12-12 on 19 minutes and the mood of the game had changed.

Worthing gradually regained control and, with the scrums going well, Joe Govett moved the ball to the right and the swift passing move freed Jack Maslen to sprint to the line. That made it 17-12 on 28 minutes.

As usual the Worthing backs were dangerous in attack from broken play and they added another try to make it 24-12 at the interval. Jack Maslin free again on the right showed the ball to his opposite number and then accelerated to the try line. Matt duly converted.
Canterbury, determined and methodical, started well in the second half and from a line out and drive their free scoring Peter Kelly forced his way to the line out wide. A brilliant conversion by Scott Browne made it 24-19.

Worthing responded positively again. It’s in their DNA to keep on attacking and a poor kick out of defence allowed Matt McLean to work his way through and his pass found Jack Maslen at full throttle on the right. He waltzed passed his opposite number on the outside to score. Next some long and accurate passing saw Keiran Leeming free Matt McLean out wide on the left this time, and the try moved the Worthing tally to 34.

Next a long kick into Canterbury territory on the right allowed the forwards to win a couple of line outs and finally they drove over the line for Joe Heaver to touch down. A towering kick by Matt McLean from the touch line raised the score to 41-19 and the win was assured.
Prop forward James Green then scored a deserved try for Canterbury following a line out but Jack Maslen replied immediately with his fourth try. Ollie Luke kicked high and accurately and Jack athletically won the leap to field the ball and scored again under the posts. Score 48-24 with the conversion.

As full time approached Joe Heaver, clearly enjoying his game having come off the bench, pierced his way through with a strong run up the centre and, with conspicuous force the influential Kiba Richards finished off with Worthing try number 9 under the posts.
Canterbury, still flickering, finished off the scoring with a try by Willem Baars out wide on the left. The magnificent conversion kick by Scott Browne was a fitting finish to the entertainment.

Final score 55-31 and 5 league points in the bag.

Thank you to all the Canterbury supporters for making their way to Worthing. Let us hope the weather will be equally sunny on our visit to you in January.

Team: Matt McLean, Jack Maslen, Kiba Richards, Harry Sloan, Matt Farnes, Ollie Luke, Joe Govett, Pete Cleveland, Matt Miles, Joe Burns, Will Stutchbury, James Arthur, Joe Heaver, Sam Hewick, Jamie Redmayne

Bench: Jordan McIntyre, Kieran Leeming, Darren Clayton, Michael Pointing, Jon Whittall