Worthing RFC captain James Arthur’s weekly column (November 18)

We started with much the same side that faced Lydney. However, with the late withdrawal of Alex Nielsen it meant we were pleased to welcome back Paul Dunkley to the bench after a head injury during training some three weeks ago.

He signified his return to the side with our only try of the day. Raynn also made his return to the bench after a few weeks off with an injury.

The kick-off was delayed until 4pm to allow Richmond to put on a large lunch for their supporters and to also show the international match.

Unlike last week, we failed to turn up in the first half and suffered at the hands of a strong and well-drilled Richmond side. We were second to everything and missed far too many tackles. By half-time we were already 24-3 down.

After some words at half-time, we came out stronger and more determined to do ourselves justice. We defended better and as the game became more scrappy we had a few scoring chances, but the final pass never quite went to hand.

We were a better side but it was too late to undo the damage and while our rugby improved and we did score at the end of the game, we had been well and truly beaten.

While it was bitterly disappointing to lose to Richmond, we must learn from our mistakes and the weaknesses in this match, which they exploited.

On a positive note, the dog and attitude we showed in the second half was pleasing, but no doubt it is going to be a tough week at training to prepare for Ealing at home – a side that beat Shelford at the weekend 87-7.

The weekend saw close games between Lydney and Canterbury (12-11) and Dings against Henley (18-13). The rest of the wins went to Jersey, Old Albanians, Southend and Taunton.

These results and our loss meant that we dropped two places to eighth and our lowest position so far this season.

We have two more tough games in the coming weeks, starting on Saturday at home to top-of-the-table Ealing, a side the Raiders have never beaten.

I hope to see as many of you as possible at Rugby Park on Saturday.