RUGBY: Raiders beat Dings to go sixth

Raiders, who are in a rich vein of form having won eight of their last 10 games, extracted revenge on Dings for their 26-10 defeat earlier in the season.

They now face a tricky trip to third-placed Ealing on Saturday, who are suffering from a recent dip in form. They have won just one of their last four games, lost two, and they drew 19-19 with Henley last Saturday.

Despite their blip, Raiders head coach Will Green is still fully aware of the challenge his side face on Saturday.

He said: "Ealing will be tough. Despite recent results they are a top outfit and, as always, we're looking forward to the challenge.

"Saturday was very pleasing, although the position is irrelevant at the moment with games left to play.

"The boys played very well and it was good to give a few guys, who haven't been playing a run out and see them perform. Jack Metters, Will Smith and Joe Govett all came in and did well.

"We need to keep doing what we're doing, winning games, pressuring teams and enjoying our rugby."

Raiders started in style when, after just three minutes, a fine break by man-of-the match Matt McLean was taken on by the returning Joe Govett, who sent it forward for Jack Maslen to gather and use his pace to score.

McLean wrapped up the try he started by sending over the kick.

With 10 minutes gone, McLean then sent over one of many penalties conceded by Dings, to take it to 10-0.

After Dings turned the ball over, Raiders' Semi Tualava initiated the break upfield. A flowing passing move saw the ball travel from Jack Metters to Govett and then out to McLean, who finished a fine try.

McLean missed the conversion and another penalty on 26 minutes, following more ill discipline from Dings.

Charlie McGowan then stole the ball from a lineout and put a kick up-field to put the pressure back on Dings. A charged down clearance kick and a couple of good passes then allowed Maslen in for his second try inthe corner. McLean kicked over the conversion for a 22-0 half-time score.

Raiders kept up the pressure from the restart and once again had scored after just three minutes.

A perfect kick from Metters put the visitors defence under pressure and Maslen made a strong run, before kicking through for fellow winger Greg Walker to gather and fly over to seal the fourth-try bonus point.

Just four minutes later, McGowan made yards by driving through the middle and McLean was at it again to put down Worthing's final try, but Govett sent the conversion wide.

Dings hooker Dave Wheeler pulled a try back for the visitors, driving through after a catch from a lineout, and their full back Tim Lukajaniec added the extras.

McLean, however, put the gloss back on the result with a penalty eight minutes from time.

An ill-tempered finish erupted after McLean was tackled trying to put another try down, for which Dings captain Stean Williams was shown a yellow card. Then with 15 seconds left, McLean received the same punishment after more handbags from both sides.

WORTHING: McLean, Walker, Dunckley, Maslen, Govett, Metters, Bruce, Cleveland, Emmett, Smith, McGowan, Arthur, Redmayne, Tualava. Subs: Bennett, Pointing, May, Smith, Marsh.

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