2nd XV Spirited Performance In Sussex Trophy

Worthing 2nd XV lost to Hove 1st's in the final of the Sussex Trophy at Crawley by 23 -3. The 2nds were robbed of many players by the qualification criteria imposed by the Trophy rules and fielded a team made up of 2nds, development and vets. Congratulations must go to Hove for a fine performance putting the icing on their cake after gaining promotion to London 1 for next season.

Worthing 2nd XV Win At Home To Westcombe Park

It was a great day for the Raiders. With the phenomenal result for the 1st XV which showed how far the squad has come this season, the 2nd XV took to the field after a couple of weeks of inactivity.
Still an unpredictable animal, the day started with the withdrawal of Steve Dove due to illness, Chris Double breaking down whilst driving back from London for the game and his car being towed. An SOS went out and Sam Pitchford stepped into the second row. Thank you for that Sam. Alex Rogers made an appearance for the first time this season and Tim and Henry from Brighton College making debuts. more...

London Scottish v Worthing 2nd XV

Well after a number of weeks of inactivity it was great to get a second week of rugby in a row. When we arrived at Scottish it seemed that everybody in London was trying to play rugby at this venue. Chaos and mayhem reigned. Playing on the further most pitch we carried kit bag et al over to the pitch which was already in use. Today saw the debut of Richard Pothecary and a first appearance of Andy Hyatt.
Preparation although not ideal allowed the players to focus on the task ahead.
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Worthing 2nd XV v Blackheath Development XV

When was the last time I sat down on a Sunday morning and wrote a match report. December 12th! This was the last time the 2nd XV took to the pitch to play in the Canterbury Shield. Westcombe Park, Barnes and Maidenhead games have all gone by the by.
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Southend v Worthing 2nd XV

On a day when the weather was going to threaten it was nice to get a game played in the dry.
A new fixture for Worthing 2nd XV and after an unhindered journey we were greeted by a large squad from Southend including a plethora of 1st XV players.
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Worthing 2nd XV v Richmond Saxons

Having negotiated the traffic down the road as the car parks around Twickenham filled up - no barbeques with Argentinean beef on this week - they all seemed to be making tracks towards the shelter of the stands. We arrived at a busy and very damp Richmond Athletic ground.
The guys were looking up for this one as we had a squad for once but the side was to have the odds stacked against them.
Back in the side was Ross Gilbert and DD and also a call up for Big Millsy to bolster the second row. The game began in torrential rain driving rain and Worthing forwards took the game to Richmond playing into the wind. The line out was effectual with DD leaping like the proverbial salmon on our ball and making their ball very scrappy and often snaffling the ball on their throw. There were thrusting drives from Millsy, Hewick and Charad and Richmond were struggling to deal with the dynamic play of the pack.
Alex Fisher was denied a first half try when the referee judged that the ball had been held up, so a Richmond penalty was the only score in the first half.
We had done the hard bit - or so we thought. Changes were made so all the subs came on and the half began. Richmond scored a try, a conversion and penalty in the second half to win the game 13 v 0.
Well done to all who played - there was great commitment and desire under testing circumstances.

Worthing 2nd XV v Esher Development

As this season unfolds nothing ever seems to be straightforward. With selection for once providing an initial squad of 22 we were then hit by injuries to the 1st XV - Matt Keen moving up only to pull out with a hamstring injury, so then Chris Hamp moved up along with Alex Fisher.
This however allowed the return of Kieran Gaskell after a number of weeks out injured and Bruce Barnes to return playing his first game in his natural position of prop. Dave Windsor moved to centre.
With things still seeming a lot brighter than in previous weeks my frustrations arose when a number of players were over 30 minutes late!!! - this is not the way to force yourself in to the 1st XV.
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Worthing 2nd XV v London Scottish Development

Saturday arrived and after some last minute team changes on Friday Worthing had a squad of 17. No need for the 2nd XV supporters to panic, some of whom now turn up to support wearing their boots.
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Blackheath Development 12 v 10 Worthing 2nd XV

What would lie in wait this week for the 2nd XV ? A tough fixture first of all - Blackheath away. The week descended rapidly into crisis management. Unavailabilities and injuries meant that on Friday we were down to 13 players!
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Worthing 2nd XV v Maidenhead 2nd XV

In the rich tapestry of life which is being 2nd XV coach and manager I must be prepared for all eventualities. Normally these things happen on a Thursday - but this season we have included Saturday as a day of the unexpected as well. Photographs courtesy of Tony McGhie
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