Maslen magic inspires super Worthing

JACK Maslen bagged a hattrick as Worthing ensured Old Redcliffians remain struggling near the foot of the league table in a 74point thriller.

The home side outscored Redcliffians by six tries to four, with Maslen leading the Raiders to victory as both he and Mathew McLean racked up personal points tallies of 15.

The full-back got things going on just two minutes, crossing for his first but McLean was unable to add the extras.

An Ashley Groves penalty double, either side of a converted Ethan Doyle try on nine minutes, put Redcliffians 13-5 up.

Maslen and McLean were not hanging about, though, as they each went over within seven minutes of each other – the fly-half converting both – to put Raiders back ahead.

Redcliffians thought

they would be in front at the break, though, as Groves converted Robert Smith’s 38th-minute try to give his side a narrow lead.

But Maslen completed his hat-trick on half-time, with McLean converting to put Raiders ahead.

And Sam Hampson increased that lead two minutes into the second half, McLean again converting, before Christian Gervais’ converted score got the visitors back within six.

But when Jack Forrest went over with ten minutes to play, a last-gasp try from Doyle was in vain as Worthing held on to secure a superb victory.