‘Excellent’ Raiders take 11-point lead

Raiders shut-out a struggling Lydney side and ran in nine superb tries, including a Jack Maslen hat-trick, as the visitors never looked like causing any problems.

With the weekend being used to play earlier postponed games, it saw Redruth win 46-17 over Barking to move up to second, leapfrogging Henley, who were not in action.

Another five points from a sparkling display of running rugby means Worthing lead Redruth and Henley by 11 and 12 points respectively, although both have played two games fewer than Worthing.

Dawson was delighted with the manner of his side’s win and said: “It was a great performance. We had a lot of possession last week, but there were a few comments that we looked nervous and didn’t play with the fluidity we have been, but we were excellent today, we relaxed a lot more and scored some lovely tries.

“Last week results went our way to keep us in pole position and, with Henley not playing today, it opens up a nice little gap as I’d rather have the points on the board at the moment.

“It was even more pleasing as they ran us very close up at their place earlier in the season, and to get a clean sheet is nice as well.

“We didn’t think they were full strength, but they have a battle on their hands at the other end of the table and could have had one eye on this week.”