THE 5TH XV SHOWING OFF THEIR NEW KIT & RESPECTIVE SPONSORS!

Horsham III 24 – Worthing V 12

There was much at stake as the 5ths travelled to Horsham. The knowledge that a win would send our fellow squad players in the 4s top of the table was all that was needed to spur everyone on for this game - the promise of a pint from their 4s counterparts was just bonus. Arriving so early the Horsham club wasn’t even open, the home team were questioning if it was indeed the 5s they were playing as they are not used to teams arriving early with tackle shields in tow.
But the game could not have started worse. Receiving ball from the kick-off Worthing secured the ball and from the first play of the game a loose off-load in their own 22 gave Horsham what must have been their easiest try of the season. Told to forget about it and start the game afresh Worthing did just that as the rest of the half showed the boys in blue overshadow the home side in just about every facet.

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Worthing V 0 – Horley II 62

Even as the Worthing 5ths were gathering the fact calls were still being made to ensure a full team and competitive scrums was a situation we were not expecting this year. It was very unfortunate that the levels of unavailability this week meant Worthing fielded a team half made up of the crook and the lame. That captain Matt Thompson had to take a stint in the front-row just about sums up how desperate it got.
But as the game started you would never have known just how many players were playing out of position for the home side. Scrums against the head and opposition lineouts won you would have thought that it was Worthing who were half made up of players currently sitting top of Sussex Two, rather than the other way round. Though Horley were the ones on the attack in the early stages it was testament to Worthing’s defence that they were making ground up the field without having to touch the ball.

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St Francis II 36 – Worthing V 19

Worthing travelled with confidence to St Francis and for once arrived in good time for a full warm-up routine, just the preparation needed to get ready for a competitive game. But perhaps the threat of the opponents was underestimated because Worthing looking shocked by the force St Francis came out of the blocks with. Within a few minutes the visitors were a score down and had lost flanker Alex Darkes to injury.
Even on the back foot there were some players already looking determined to rise to the challenge. Prop Liam put in some big hits before he too was forced off to injury. After a second score against, Worthing began to find their game. The defence got organised and started to double team the bigger St Francis runners, of which they had many. Struggling for backs St Francis played their biggest player, a second row, in the centre and managed much better than Italy at playing a flanker at scrumhalf. All in all it meant the home side were finding much joy with hard straight running and though Worthing upped their defence with solid tackles coming from Mark and Darrell in the pack, and Nigel and Kevin in the backs, by halftime they found themselves 19 points down.

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Worthing V 74 – 10 Rye II

A long long time ago I can still remember when the vets could still run fast
But I knew if they had the chance – they could make the football dance
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Worthing 5ths 46 v 0 Shoreham 2nds

With the season so far not going that well for the 5ths, a much needed moral boost was required for the troops. With the 5ths game cancelled at the beginning of the week, things where not looking good. So it was great relief, early Friday morning, when Rus advised me that Shoreham 2’s where looking for a fixture……game on!



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Worthing 5th XV Spirited Performance

A warm sunny Saturday saw Chichester 4’s return to Worthing for the 2nd time in as many weeks, this time to take on the 5ths. Having already put the Worthing 4’s to the sword the previous week, the 5ths (containing some players who had played in that game) where keen to make amends and return the favour to Chi 4’s – sadly that didn’t go quite to plan! However, with a number of players still not back with the lower seniors yet, fielding a team for Saturday’s fixture was a victory in itself. Helped out greatly by a number of players who where willing to ‘put their boots back on’ (Andy, Burkey, Daz, Derek, Lee and Mark - Cheers guys!), the 5ths fielded a full team for the first time this season. Playing with such a ‘disjointed’ team was never going to be easy, but despite this, Worthing where the dominate team for the first 10mins, until a mistake by Worthing let Chi through for the first (of many) tries. Worthing quickly responded and some great back play cut open the Chi defence to see Andy score. At this stage the game was evenly balanced at 7 all and despite a drop goal 5mins later by Chi (7-10) there was all to play for. That was the first 20mins. The remaining 60mins didn’t go so well. Chi picked up the pace (surprising given there size) and with numerous mistakes and ill-discipline by Worthing, the 5ths struggled to get back in the game and Chi repeatedly broke the Worthing defence to score regularly. The final score being 7-69.



However, a number of good points can be taken form the game, with some good tackling by the backs (Matt Thompson, Martin Lawrence, John Spencer & Sam Thatcher – playing full back for the first time ever!), a much more solid scrum than the previous week against Chi (so I was told) and spirit – we kept attacking right to the end in order to try and get a 2nd try. More training and especially more players will be needed before the 5ths are able to hold there own in this league, but it is doable. See you all on Tuesday!

5th XV 48 - 0 @ Horsham III

Match report to follow...

5th XV 19 - 0 Crawley IV

A last minute friendly - as the League game @ Holbrook 2nd XV was rearranged for Sat 28th Feb @ Worthing due to unfit pitches

5th XV 53 - 5 Pulborough III

Match report to follow...