Raiders lose away to Redruth

Raiders slipped a place to third with the loss at an in-form Redruth side, who picked up five points for the fourth consecutive match, but Dawson said: “It was a disappointing result but a very good performance.

“We had key players missing, so mixed the team around but we played very well and we were all very upbeat on the coach home.

“We’d been disappointed with the result and the performance the previous week against Old Albanians but we stood up to Redruth and were the better team.

“The referee’s interpretation of a few things cost us as we had two players (Alex Nielsen and Sam Hewick) sinbinned for very harsh decisions.

“We can’t blame him totally as we made a few unforced errors but we played with great heart and great spirit and it was a heartening performance.”

Redruth’s Aaron Penberthy kicked over two early penalties to give his side a 6-0 lead but Raiders fought back and took the lead on 14 minutes.

A fine chip and chase by Ollie Luke was recycled for Matt Miles to touch down, with Matt McLean kicking the extras to make it 7-6.

Raiders’ Joe Govett then went on a darting run but was held up by the Redruth defence.

Redruth regained the lead on 22 minutes when Tom Cooper went over and Penberthy kicked the conversion.

Worthing responded just four minutes later when Jamie Redmayne finished off a move started by Nielsen and McLean’s conversion gave Raiders a one-point lead.

Hewick was then sinbinned and Penberthy kicked two penalties to give Redruth a 19-14 half-time lead.

Chris Fuca touched down to increase Redruth’s lead three minutes after the break, before Penberthy and McLean exchanged penalties.

Fuca then went over for his second try but Worthing responded immediately and Redmayne touched down his second.

Penberthy then secured Redruth’s four-try bonus point when he went over to take his personal tally to 22 points.

Raiders host bottom-of-the-table Westcombe Park on Saturday (2pm). Charlie McGowan serves the last match of his ban, while Kiba Richards and Rob Smith are both back available.

WORTHING: McLean, Maslen, Dunckley, Clayton, Nielsen, Luke, Govett, Cleveland, Miles, Stutchbury, Stubbs, Hewick, Heaver, Redmayne. Subs: Dawson, Iraizoz, Raynn, Costigan, Wilcockson.