Barnstaple are beaten once again

BARNSTAPLE’S worrying run in National Two South continued when they lost 53-21 away to divisional leaders Worthing Raiders, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

Barum were under no illusions how tough it would be away from home against a side that has only lost once this season – and just getting there was a struggle.

It took seven hours by coach to reach the Sussex seaside resort 10 miles west of Brighton and kick-off was delayed by 20 minutes as a result.

For most of the first half it seemed Barnstaple were still on the bus as Worthing shot into a 22-0 lead after 24 minutes and by the break had the four-try bonus point stashed in a 29-7 lead.

Barum got back to 22-7 on 33 minutes when Bryn Jago bustled over from the back row for a try that Jake Murphy converted and added a second through Matt Gohl while the Raiders were a man down due to a sin-binning.

Worthing briefly went down to 13 men in the second half and during that period Barum prop George Snell got across the line and Murphy kicked a third conversion.

Worthing were so dominant in most areas that losing players to yellow cards did them little damage. By the time they were back to 15 on the park they had extended their lead to 41-21.

Two more tries from Worthing only emphasised their superiority.

Barum have now lost five on the trot in National Two South and their record of one win in seven starts means they are second from bottom in the table of 16.

A league re-organisation is lurking just over the horizon and sometime soon RFU are due to announce what sides have to do to maintain their current status, or something similar to it.

As it is hard to see a blueprint for re-organisation that has keeps a second-bottom side where they are, Barnstaple have to start winning games. They have another chance to turn things round when Essex side Rochford Hundred visit Pottington this Saturday.