WORTHING'S KILTS PREVAIL

To the sound of a lone highland piper who played throughout the game, Jamie Stewart-McDonald broke the London Scottish line to score a try that Duncan Taylor converted for a 7-6 Worthing lead at half-time, from 6-0 down.

Taylor added a penalty six minutes after the interval and late on the Exiles kicked their third penalty of the game while Worthing lock Ben McGowan was in the sinbin. McGowan's return helped shore up the game for the stronger-concluding side and Worthing have yet to concede a try in their four matches this season.

Taylor was a late deputy for the indisposed Ben Coulson, into whose place at full-back stepped Nick French. Danny Venter made a fine starting debut at lock and Louis Kirchell was industriously mobile on the openside.

Flanker McCarthy kicked two early penalties for Scottish before Worthing's resilience and ability to turn defence into attack and introduce the cutting edge of their backs made them the likelier scorers. A driving maul set up their try.

Jody Levett led Worthing's pack into creating pressure that brought their penalty but, owing to errors, nothing more and the Exiles began to impose their own rolling maul. Worthing teamwork and spirit enabled a 12-minute survival in McGowan's absence.

Although the scoreline slightly flattered Scottish, another tight encounter is likely at the same venue in London 1 this Saturday.

WORTHING: French; Butler, Taylor, Stewart-McDonald, Stephens; Dudley, Imrie; Storer, Alcott, Bennett, B.McGowan, Venter, Kirchell, Levett, O'Gorman. Bench: Quirk (French inj), Dove (Venter 65), Phillips (Kirchell 70), Jack, Knowlton, Monoogian. Att: 325. London Scottish president's MOM: Levett.