Worthing Raiders lost 34-40 to Havant in their home opener despite a determined second-half comeback.
Despite strong performances from Jake Rutherford and Jack Forrest, who each scored twice, the Raiders could not secure their first win of the season. They did, however, earn two losing bonus points with a late score.
The Raiders faced challenges with injuries and unavailable players for their first South Coast rivalry match since 2008.
The game began with Havant losing a player to the sin bin, but Worthing could not capitalize as Havant disrupted a threatening lineout. Both teams struggled to score in the first fifteen minutes.
Worthing fell behind by two scores and lost captain Jack Forrest to the sin bin. They got on the scoreboard in the twenty-seventh minute with a penalty from Louis Ellis. The home side made substitutions with Ray Jardine and Dan Macadams coming on in the thirty-fifth minute.
Ellis added another penalty, but Havant increased their lead with a try and conversion just before halftime, leaving the score at 17-6 in favor of the visitors.
The Raiders came out refreshed after the break, with scrum half Rutherford scoring early in the second half. He collected his own kick and sprinted 40 meters to touch down.
However, a sin bin for Dan Macadams allowed Havant to score again with a rolling maul from a lineout. Despite Worthing’s promising attacks, they were halted by strong defense and mistakes.
Havant added their fifth try midway through the second half. Worthing responded with a score from Jack Forrest, who broke through the defense after a series of passes. Despite this, Havant added another converted try, widening the gap to 20-34. A penalty soon extended their lead to 20-37.
Though Worthing made errors at crucial moments, they continued to penetrate Havant’s defense. Jack Forrest scored his second try, and Charlie Spencer’s conversion brought the score to 27-37 with about five minutes remaining.
With Balasz Magda also receiving a yellow card, Havant took advantage by kicking a penalty to extend their lead to 27-40.
In the final moments, the young Raiders team showed resilience, finishing with a well-executed handling move that allowed Jake Rutherford to score his second try, earning them two bonus points.
