Shoreham 1XV vs Worthing 3XV - 4th December 2021

A glorious sunny day for rugby gave Shoreham’s 1XV the chance to build on their strong start to the season with their first game of the Harvey’s Wharf IPA Sussex 2 Premiership (their mouthful of words, not mine) following the league’s East & West conferences splitting into the Premiership and Championship. The boys found themselves away to a Worthing 3’s side who had performed strongly in their half of the league.

The day started well when Alfie, travelling back from Gibraltar under an assumed name after having to make a quick departure for as yet unclear legal reasons, handed me an 8% cider. With my notepad, alcohol back in my system, and Shoreham about to play; the day was on.
Shoreham started strongly with Steve Goater putting in an excellent hit straight from kick off to set the tone for what was to be a strong defensive performance throughout the team. Worthing’s clearing kick eventually settled and was returned leading to a Worthing line-out just inside their own half, which was subsequently spilled under further pressure from Steve, before being re-gathered & taken up with strong running from both Gav Cox and Max Tozer. The latter of whom cut an excellent line before the ball was recycled and finished in the corner by Toby Reed after a great sidestep back inside.

A second try followed almost immediately after, thanks to Worthing spilling under more great defensive pressure (which was to become a recurring feature of the game) due to Shoreham continuing their great line speed which has been on display all season, before Ethan Bannister scored a 60m try after recovering the ball and handing off the Worthing fullback.
Worthing answered back with a try of their own in their corner, the strong running of their 14 only being stopped by a great covering tackle from Charlie Ford but Shoreham couldn’t stop them going over in the corner when the ball was recycled.
Shoreham’s strong rucking set a foundation for their attacking efforts, and was exemplified by excellent work from Mick Shaw throughout the first half.

Fly-half Ethan scored another length-of-the-field interception try and Charlie Ford scored from a Worthing knock-on either side of a well-earned Worthing try after probably their only sustained period of time in Shoreham’s 22.
The first half ended with Worthing attempting to put a penalty kick right onto Shoreham’s 5m line, only for their fly-half to slice it just the wrong side of the dead ball line. The Worthing players, clearly unable to believe quite how badly he’d sliced it, proceeded to accuse the aforementioned Alfie, now running the line whilst battling not to spill his pint of Guinness, of cheating, which he took in a fair and balanced manner by offering the job to one of their players instead and gesticulating wildly (but never spilling) said pint glass. Half time Shoreham 27 Worthing 14.

Into the second half, Shoreham again started well with Danny James going on a great run only for his beautiful pass to put Hugo Convent, who was playing his last game before returning to the South of France, over in the corner was adjudged to be a forward pass. The call was marginal, however justice was done when the Worthing flyhalf dropped the ball behind his own goal line from the resulting scrum and Will Midwinter, being first on the scene, dotted down.

Shoreham scored again 10 minutes later, Danny and Hugo, who had both been making great metres on kick returns all game long, combining to get Shoreham from their own 22’s into Worthing’s where Will cut a great line in behind the Worthing defence and fed to James Marsh to finish.
The game was then paused considerably after a horrible leg injury to one of Worthing players who we all wish a speedy recovery.
Shoreham soaked up some Worthing pressure after the game restarted before finishing with two strong tries. One from Toby, fed by Dan Adams after a great turnover and the final try from Hugo, gifted by Danny who received the offload after Charlie made metres into Worthing’s 22.
Man of the match was Ethan for his all round excellent play especially setting the tone in the first half for Shoreham’s attack with honorable mentions to Charlie for his all round attacking play, Max Tozer cutting some fantastic lines, Steve Goater setting the pace defensively and at ruck times as well, Dan Adams for his usual great rucking and strong runs and Alfie for never spilling a drop of that Guinness.
Final score Worthing 3XV 17 - 54 Shoreham 1XV

Ali Sparrow