Raiders climb out of relegation places following thrilling win over Taunton Titans
Starting the day second-bottom, Raiders ran in four tries on their way to a bonus-point 36-33 triumph over Taunton.
Worthing's win - coupled with defeats for both Barnes and London Irish Wild Geese, who started the day above them - helped Raiders climb two-places to fourth-bottom in the standings with six games to go.
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Hide AdOnce again Raiders were taken right to the wire having held a healthy lead going into the final 20 minutes. This time around, Worthing were cruising with a 28-7 lead before a late onslaught.
In a dramatic finale, Taunton ran in 26 points but Raiders held on for what could prove to be a pivotal five-point win.
A well-worked Ben Loosmore try inside five minutes set the tone for a thrilling opening 40 minutes from the home side. Matt McLean, Sam Hewick and Loosmore were all involved, before the latter raced over. McLean then added the extras to fire Raiders 7-0 ahead.
Taunton's response was almost imminent as Daniel Frost bagged his side's first try of the day less than five minutes later.
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Hide AdKariym Irving lunged over following a sweeping Raiders move to kick-start a run of 18-unanswered points prior to the interval. As well as Irving's try, Dan Sargent's converted try, plus two penalties from McLean helped Worthing open up a 25-7 half-time lead.
Raiders then went three points further ahead less than three minutes after the restart courtesy of McLean's drop goal.
With Raiders in total command, a superb solo try from Frost kick-started a Taunton resurgence on the hour.
Following Frost's converted effort, Titans went onto register 19 more points in the final 13 minutes.
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Hide AdSamuel Prior's converted try on 67 minutes clawed Taunton back to within seven points of the home side at 28-21.
A cracking Raiders response saw Harry Forrest go over less than a minute later to secure a bonus-point fourth try. McLean the crashed over a penalty as Worthing looked to have things wrapped up at 36-21 with less than five minutes left.
From the kick, replacement Jon Gatford's converted try gave Taunton hope before Prior went over for his second and Titans fifth a minute from the end.
With just a three-point lead, Raiders had a nervy finale but held out for a crucial victory.
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Hide AdFourth-bottom Raiders face a crunch trip to two-places below London Irish Wild Geese in the league on Saturday.
RAIDERS: Storer, Watson-Brooks, Sargent, Barlow, Lake, Lamb, Hewick, Perkins; Leeming, McLean, Irving, Loosmore, Richards, Coxon-Smith, Forrest. Replacements: Harris, Finney, Whittall, Boyland, Dobson.
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