Positive signs in quest for survival '“ Levett

Worthing Raiders head coach Jody Levett looked back on his side's National League 2 South home defeat at the hands of high-flying Old Elthamians and said: 'It's probably the most positive we've been all season.'
Dino Lamb went over for Raiders' second try on Saturday. Picture by Stephen GoodgerDino Lamb went over for Raiders' second try on Saturday. Picture by Stephen Goodger
Dino Lamb went over for Raiders' second try on Saturday. Picture by Stephen Goodger

Second-from-bottom Raiders matched their third-placed opponents for long periods, before the visitors finished strongly to win 51-21.

Having trailed 20-10 at one stage, Worthing made a blistering start to the second half and had turned things around to lead 21-20 less than ten minutes after the restart.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Old Elthamians’ quality and experience shone through late on though, as they ran in 31 unanswered points in the final 20 minutes.

With fourth-from-bottom Barnes the only other team in the bottom six in action, Raiders knew a win could see them move out of the relegation places.

As it was, Worthing’s loss – coupled with Barnes picking up a losing bonus-point in a 18-16 defeat at Henley Hawks – leaves them four points from safety with seven games to go.

Despite the defeat, Levett believes a replication of the opening hour in future matches will stand his team in good stead.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “It seems strange after a defeat but our huddle at the end was probably the most positive we have been all season.

“The guys have challenged themselves against one of the best teams and have come off second best, but for large proportions there were some real positives.

“We played incredibly for 60 minutes and led against a top quality team. The players believed – which was clear to see – but obviously the final 20 minutes were very frustrating. I felt we gave the ball away too easily, didn’t work to the plan we had in the previous hour, but we are very positive as a group going forward.”

Raiders were reduced to 14 men 15 minutes after half-time when full-back Harry Forrest was yellow-carded.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It was a moment Levett felt was critical in the eventual defeat and he said: “We probably needed two tries in the first half, for the one early in the second to be the third try of the day and then we would have had an even better chance.

“It was always going to be a tough ask with the wind as well, ideally we’d have liked to have played the other way but we lost the toss.

“We made silly errors, didn’t get the ball off the park when we needed too, which allowed them to counter attack, then we put ourselves under pressure going down to 14.

“When you give a team of Old Elthamians’ quality a man advantage it is always going to be a difficult task, which we discovered.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Raiders welcome fourth-placed Taunton Titans to Roundstone Lane on Saturday for a third consecutive home game. The match gets under way at 3pm.

Don't miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you'll be amongst the first to know what's going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on 'sign in' (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don't miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics: