Rudder steers Raiders to victory

By SHAUN WREN

Worthing………..33

Canterbury……. 19

JEROME Rudder's hattrick helped secure a bonus-point victory as Worthing made it backto-back wins.

With backing from prop Ken Dowding and replacement Rhys Morgan, the win over Canterbury was the perfect way to celebrate Raiders captain Kemp Price's 50th game in the National League.

The home side made the perfect start after earning a scrum penalty. Quick thinking from Frank Taggart with a tap-and-go found Joshua Tusler, whose brilliant pass set up Rudder for the opening score.

However, Jack Forrest's mistake opened a gap for Canterbury's Sam Sterling and the winger took advantage, chipping over the defence for Frank Morgan to pick up and score.

Dowding finished off some decent forward play to crash over the whitewash to extend the hosts' lead after 15 minutes.

Even though they had a great chance to close the gap at the end of the first half, the Kent side drew level thanks to Thomas Williams' try, converted by Kyan Braithwaite.

Three more tries were scored in the space of ten minutes, with Rudder getting his second after a terrific pass from Forrest. The away side fought back again as scrum-half Williams added his second before Rudder completed his hat-trick.

After great work down the wing by number eight Taggart, Morgan gave the Rugby Park fans a fifth try to celebrate, as well as revenge for a defeat earlier in the season.