Curtis downs Hawks in huge 13-try romp
RAIDERS saw off local rivals Henley at Rugby Park in a terrific try-fest that saw Worthing score nine of the 13 tries and winger Curtis Barnes claim a hattrick.
Although a quick glance at the scoreline offers little indication, this was actually a perfect example of a game of two halves, with the visitors keeping the hosts humcontribute ble in a soggy opening 40 minutes.
The opening ten minutes was all Hawks as they embedded themselves in Worthing’s half and scored a try from George Wood.
The home side finally woke up as the next 10 minutes was all Raiders with the dynamic duo of Harrison Sims and Jack Forrest combining and silky footwork from Forrest ensured that he collected his 12th try of the season.
Worthing continued to play some tremendous fast rugby as they pulled Henley from right to left before a risky long pass to Liam Perkins paid off for the flanker to touch down.
Despite being one score behind, the away side had control of the game until the final play of the half as the host had a scrum in their half.
With the last play, the ball arrived in Barnes’ hands, and nothing was going to stop the winger from slowing down and then using pure pace to get his first score of the game and definitely to discussion about try of the season.
Worthing stand-in coach Luke Wallace told his side during the break to make sure they stopped giving away stupid penalties and to execute their game plan, but whatever else was said woke up a warrior cry within them, and the Raiders became true to their name.
In the opening minute of the second half, Barnes collected Worthing’s kick-off, and they kept up the pressure for fullback Kieran Leeming to secure the try bonus point. This
was followed up by five crazy minutes which the hosts scored three tries, but only one counted.
Sims had his legitimate try ruled out with the referee judging the ball to be held up, then Perkins thought he got a second of the game before seemingly dropping the ball just before touching down.
Finally, Barnes cemented his man of the match performance to extend Worthing’s lead, scoring twice in two minutes to complete his hattrick. Shortly after some quick thinking from replacement scrum-half Cameron Dobinson got the sixth as Rugby Park faithful got rocking.
Matt Mclean was at the bottom of a rolling maul as the hosts scored 31 points in 25 breathtaking minutes.
Worthing did get a ninth through replacement Kemp Price scoring either side of fullback William Panday and replacement Marcus Lowe to secure Henley went home with at least a try bonus point.