TO WIN AND WIN WELL!

Losing costs Worthing not only the Powergen London title and automatic promotion to National League status for the first time in their history '” but also home advantage in the ensuing play-off against either Bridgwater & Albion or Clifton from South West 1 a week later.

Canterbury lost 66-24 at Cambridge on April 9 but beat division-higher Westcombe Park on Sunday to win the Kent Cup. Canterbury and Cambridge are the only league teams to defeat Worthing this season. The 8-6 loss at Canterbury on December 4 marked Worthing's only failure all season to score a try.

Canterbury's away record is erratic. They lost at Old Colfeians and had a player sent off in the match before meeting Cambridge.

Worthing coach Mick Orton: "Right-wing Andy Pratt scores most of Canterbury's tries but they rely on their forwards. Our preferred option is to win by more than Cambridge do, and to go up as champions."

Lock Ben McGowan, scrum-half Mike Imrie and hooker Simon Alcott return after injury and Ben Coulson continues at full-back in the attack-orientated reshuffle beyond stand-off. These are the only changes to their Trophy Final starting line-up.

Bench: Bennett, Dove, Coombe.

AN INCREASE in the size of permitted squads will flood Roundstone Lane with 2,200 child players on Sunday. Worthing RFC's Mini-rugby Festival is back to its heyday level of 25 participating clubs. Worthing's Under-7s enter the event as Sussex champions.

Teams aking part from outside the county include Beccehamians, Berkshire Barbarians, Bracknell, Gravesend, Old Elthamians, Maidenhead, Richmond, Sevenoaks, Sidcup, Sittingbourne, Treorchy, Upminster, Westcombe Park and Windsor.

New this year will be Briton Ferry (SouthWales), Ely, Sleaford, Caldicott and Hayle.

See this week's Herald for a report of Worthing's Sussex KO Trophy win against Lewes.