EDF National Trophy Round Two

WORTHING 21 pts WESTON 13 pts

THIS EDF Round 2 game was always going to be tight between two sides doing well in their respective Level 5 leagues and so it proved, with Weston having to make the long journey to the south coast.

The opening exchanges were competitive and even with neither side gaining the upper hand.

The home side soon showed its running intentions, with Weston equally comfortable in defence.

Worthing had the first chance to go ahead after 15 minutes, but Taylor missed a fairly easy penalty.

However, they took the lead after 25 minutes when Redmayne went over, Taylor converting for a 7-0 lead.

Weston then lost Sprague with a knee injury, Young coming on as a replacement.

Armstrong replied with a penalty for the visitors three minutes later to reduce the arrears and they took the lead after 37 minutes with yet another slice of Crichton flair.

The winger received the ball up on his 22, chipped over the advancing tacklers, picked up the bounce and set off towards the line.

The highly publicised Tom Beim could not get within five yards of him as he cruised around the former England winger and it was only at the try line that the cover reached him, but it was too late to prevent the score.

Armstrong converted for a 10-7 lead which survived intact until half time, Taylor missing another penalty which could have levelled matters.

The second half brought changes for both teams.

Weston lost key line-out man Russell to a leg injury.

He was replaced by Ball, while Worthing changed their half-backs.

Weston went further ahead after 50 minutes when Armstrong kicked his second penalty to open up a 13-7 lead, and they were unlucky not to increase this when Young was deemed not to have grounded the ball in the left-hand corner.

Both sides continued to spar for openings but the game became tight.

Tuitupou made some storming runs for Weston, scattering back row forwards in his wake, and Worthing looked more threatening having brought McDonald into the fly-half position.

Opportunities were limited but on the hour, everything changed.

It was not a dirty match, although referee Walters, who with his touch judges, had managed to miss a series of knock-ons, obstructions and late tackles.

Not only was a dreadful challenge on Warman ignored but the game was allowed to continue while he lay motionless on the ground, but the official decided that Weston's Andy Ball had not rolled away from a tackle - always a debatable decision, especially when a player is trapped under a pile of bodies, but the yellow card appeared with indecent haste.

Weston were left with seven forwards and vastly reduced line-out options and Worthing benefited from their numerical advantage three minutes later when one of their second row forced his way over from a close-range scrummage.

Taylor, much to everyone's surprise, converted to give the hosts a one point lead.

The visitors were unable to force the winning score on their return to full strength and a further Worthing try on the stroke of full time was of academic interest and little significance.

Weston: Warman (Bennett), Crichton, Main, Reid, Sprague (Young), Armstrong, Hember, Gukibau (Matthews), Burge, Hunt, (Lavender), Richards, Russell (Ball), Cook (Hobbs), Tuitupou, Sparks (T Main).