Match Preview

Worthing Raiders v Bees, Saturday 29 September 2018, 3.00pm KO

Bees face a lengthy journey to the south coast to play Worthing Raiders

Bees have not had lady luck on their side this season and perhaps should have been rewarded with at least a losing bonus point for their efforts last weekend against a powerful Taunton Titans side.

This Saturday sees a 300 mile plus round trip to play Worthing Raiders, whose Roundstone Lane ground is located in the village of Angmering, a short distance to the west of Worthing.

Worthing are currently mid-table, i.e. 8th place, having won 2 & lost 2 of their opening four fixtures. They started the season with a heavy 62-24 defeat at Taunton Titans, before winning 35-26 at Guernsey & 68-21 at home to Redruth. Last weekend they lost 37-15 on the road at Clifton.

Worthing RFC was founded in 1920, their first team is now known as the Worthing Raiders.

In 2012/13, they finished second to Henley in Nat League 2 South, which meant that they would play Stourbridge (2nd to Hull Ionians in Nat League 2 North) in the play-off game, for a place in National League 1.

The match took place at Stourbridge, and Worthing broke Black Country hearts by scoring a converted try deep into injury time to win the game 28-26. In doing so, they became the first side from Sussex to play Level 3 rugby. They finished 15th in their one season in National League 1, so consequently returned to National League 2 South, where they have since remained. Last season they finished in 7th place, with 81 points.

Interestingly, Worthing was the first rugby club in England to offer mini rugby and to host a mini rugby tournament. Two current England Internationals have been members of the Worthing club - Joe Launchbury & Joe Marler - although the latter announced his retirement from the international game this week.

Pete Glackin has made some changes to the squad that lost 20-28 last week at home to the Titans. Whilst the backs are unchanged, in the forwards Kurtis Payne returns from injury to start at tight head, with Danny Wright switching to second row. Ashley Scriven starts on the blindside, with Umraan Jadwat recovering from last week’s knock to retain the No.8 berth.

Bees squad v Worthing Raiders (Away, 3.00pm, KO):-1. Joe Foreman, 2. Dale Garner, 3. Kurtis Payne, 4. Danny Wright, 5. Andrew Weaver, 6. Ashley Scriven, 7. Marcus Brown, 8. Umraan Jadwat, 9. Jack Jolly ©, 10. Max Rodman, 11.Matt Dight, 12. Nathan Tilsley, 13. Adam Nunney, 14. Dan Kelly, 15. Corey Venus. Replacements 16. Charlie Brabham, 17. Stewart Pearl, 18. Luke Smith, 19. Keenan Cooper, 20. Sean O’Sullivan.

Sat Nav: BN16 4AX

The Hornets game against Luctonians will not take place due to the current injury list.