Raiders lose at home to Loughborough

WORTHING Raiders Rugby Club were unable to make it back-to-back wins in National 1 after a 43-24 defeat at home to Loughborough Students on Saturday (October 5).

Raiders took a four-try bonus point from the game but a disappointing first-half performance left them with too much to do.

Raiders opened the scoring after just three minutes when a scrum near the posts was switched from right to left and Alex Nielsen touched down his sixth try of the season.

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Joe Govett was off target with the difficult conversion attempt and the visitors were ahead on nine minutes when Alexander Davis converted Jack Pons’ try.

Benjamin Pons touched down Loughborough’s second try on 15 minutes, before soft tackling allowed the visitors a third try when Rhys Owen touched down on 21 minutes.

Loughborough got their four-try bonus point just two minutes later through Henry Taylor to move 22-5 ahead.

Worthing captain Scott Barlow and Loughborough’s Jacob Albon were sinbinned on 33 minutes as the half-time whistle blew with Loughborough in a comfortable 22-5 lead.

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Loughborough increased their lead four minutes into the second half when the visitors won a Worthing scrum and Henry Taylor raced from the back to go over and Davis added the conversion.

Raiders introduced captain Matt Miles for his first appearance of the season, after injury, and his arrival injected some more energy into Worthing’s play.

Worthing were held up on the line, following a great burst forward by Miles on 47 minutes and two minutes later, the hosts got a try back.

After a spell of pressure, Ben Dudley brilliantly skipped past his man to touch down and Govett’s conversion made the score 29-12.

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Man-of-the-match Liam Perkins then went over on his debut for Worthing on 60 minutes but Govett was unable to add the extras.

Jack Bradford soon touched down Loughborough’s sixth try and Davis kicked the extras on 64 minutes but Raiders were back in the game again five minutes later.

Quick hands from Dudley allowed Kiba Richards to seal the four-try bonus point and Govett’s conversion pulled the score back to 36-24.

However, Loughborough put the result beyond all doubt with six minutes to go with a converted try.

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RAIDERS: Greenwood, Coxon-Smith, O.Richards, K.Richards, Leeming, Govett, O’Sullivan, Cleveland, Sargent, Sewell, Barlow, Smith, Hewick, Perkins. Subs: Miles, Pointing, Stutchbury, Dudley, Heaver.

National 1 results: Wharfedale 20, Exeter 19; Blaydon 21, Coventry 16; Doncaster 29, Fylde 24; Blackheath 35, Tynedale 23; Henley 40, Hull Ionians 20; Richmond 55, Cinderford 20.

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