WORTHING MAKE A DAZZLING START

WORTHING began life after Ian Davies, their former coach who had taken them to successive promotions, with a comprehensive win which bodes well for the coming season. In the first competitive game of the campaign, the team looked organised and mixed flair with hard work which will help their confidence for only the club's second campaign up in London 1.

They fielded their new signings, with Rowan O'Gorman at the No 8 position and Jamie Stewart-McDonald at inside-centre, both having solid performances. Stewart-McDonald was on the end of a some quick passing to claim his second try, and with 16 minutes gone, Worthing were already 17 -0 ahead.

The home forwards controlled the tempo of the game, and with openside flanker Dave Davis always on hand they provided good support at breakdowns.

Oxford Harlequins' only real pressure came at the end of the second half. Worthing's defence, which has proved strong in their promotions, suggested it could be up to the challenge again, although they certainly will be put under more pressure in the league campaign.

The hosts could have relaxed after half-time as they had a commanding lead of 34-0, but choose to try to double the advantage. It took only two minutes for the backs to feed the ball out to the speedy Gavin Stephens, who strolled over in the corner and set the scoreboard ticking over again.

The try of the match came in the 66th minute, when Terry Butler made a break from his own half. Ben Coulson, who kicked superbly, supported him at pace and linked with Butler to put Duncan Taylor over the line for his first try for the club.

The second-half performance was as impressive as the first and more points were scored, with the defence allowing none against.

Worthing advance to the next round of the cup, and can take a number of positive points from the performance.

WORTHING: Coulson; Stephens, Taylor, Stewart-McDonald, Butler; Dudley, Imrie; O'Gorman, Davis, Levett; Dove, McGowan; Jack, Alcott, Storer.