w Worthing………… 71pts
N Walsham…….. 19pts
ECSTATIC Worthing coach Fred Pierrepont celebrated his side's “togetherness” as the Raiders ended a “tough” season in tremendous style.
Ollie Crow and Curtis Barnes grabbed braces as Worthing romped to 11 tries. Already relegated North Walsham added three in the second half, contributing to an enthralling and entertaining after noon.
“I'm pleased with my boys' togetherness. It was enjoyable,” said Pierrepont.
“It's hard to put into perspective (where that perfor mance relates to others this campaign). It's been a tough season.”
“I'm proud of their (my players) ability to dig deep. I'm proud to have National league rugby again next season.”
The game's most open and entertaining spell came in the last quarter.
Barnes galloped forward, cantering supremely past Walsham's defence before steaming over the line like a prized thoroughbred.
Such was the frequency of Worthing's try count, impassioned cheers had turned to polite applause.
But this one woke them up.
If that had entertained, the next thrilled. Jack Forrest delightfully teedup his brother, Harry.
The kick was surgical, the finish emphatic.
The props piled in next. Ben Featherstone's delightful wrap-around pass set Fraser Bruce to surge over, ending the season in a blaze of glory.
Walsham played their part, too. Connor Dudley shrugged off Tom Bowen's tackle, before crossing again five minutes later. Jamie Hooker converted two.
Matt Austin's was the pick of the Walsham collection, though. He caught an incisive kick and stepped over for the Vikings' last in national rugby for now.
Worthing had secured the bonus point in 23 minutes. Crow crashed over following kick-off, Jack Forrest gratefully accepted a gift for the second, Barnes edged over for the third just before Crow achieved his brace.
Louis Ellis converted Cameron Dobinson's try, only failing once in the first half to add the extras. Half-time only proved a respite for Walsham.
TEAMS
WORTHING: Bowen, McMillan, J Forrest, Sims, Barnes, Ellis, Dobinson; Bruce, Gearing-Grief, Featherstone, Lake, Grinsted, Crow, Knight, Taggart
Replacements: Ashworth, Magda, Sunray-Jellis, Spencer, H Forrest
NORTH WALSHAM: Snary, Dye, Smith, Hewitt, Kandemwa, Hooker, Dudley; Weber, Kingdon, Clarke, Holmwood, I Atherton, King, Brooks, Fethney
Replacements: Howe, Arnold, Whittred, L Atherton, Austin
Harrison Sims crashed over on his 100th National League appearance, before Frank McMillan touched down on his Worthing debut. The 19-year-old delighted in his opening perfor mance, brilliantly grounding Walsham's top try scorer, Tawanda Kandemwa. Featherstone crossed from a catch and drive.
“It had an end of season feel,” reflected North Walsham head coach, Niall Lear. “We were taken aback, slightly, by how quickly they played the first half. We've had a habit of starting to play when we go tries down. We've got to re-group, rebuild and hopefully come back up soon.”
REFEREE: Peter Buchanan
ATTENDANCE: 530
Star man
Louis Ellis -Worthing
