Worthing RFC keep Sussex crown

Worthing were in their eighth final running, having finished narrowly third in London 1 while Heath were relegated after being in National Three South the previous season.

Both sides were below strength, owing to injuries, but from trailing 11-8 late in the first half, to leading 18-11 with 14 gone of the second, Worthing then brought on the stronger of the two benches. Wing Phil Williams kicked his third penalty goal of the match in the 33rd minute, then centre Duncan Taylor added his second try, converted by the left-footed Williams for his 13th point of the game, and replacement Will Harris raced in for another try in stoppage time.

The signs had been ominous for Heath after only eight minutes when big Keba Richards, Worthing's wing playing at full-back, drew his man to release Matt Farnes for a steaming left-wing try. But Williams missed the conversion and fly-half Dan Penny's penalty for offside at a maul put Heath quickly onto the scoreboard in reply.

Heath tackled Williams into touch in the last yards of Worthing's right wing and then the passage of play in the 25th minute swung the game Heath's way and made the predicted one-sided contest much more absorbing.

Richards ran elusively from outside his own 22 to the Heath 22 but was finally nailed. Worthing lost the resultant scrum against the head and Heath worked the ball across to their right where scrum-half Jo Govett kicked forward, more centrally, where it bounced away from the Worthing cover and Heath centre Nick Fisher gathered at speed and tore to the line for his opportunist score. Penny missed the conversion but kicked Heath 11-5 ahead 10 minutes later with another penalty.

Worthing were short on possession in the first half with their second-choice second row including debut-making ex-Havant man Phil Connor and making little impression on the lineout. But Worthing changed things at half-time, Jody Levett moved to lock instead of Connor, and Taylor, once again relishing the contact through the middle, fought his way and touched down out of a multi-tackle. Williams added the conversion and the second half was but six minutes old.

Heath retorted impressively and were back at Worthing's throats. It took a vital Louis Kirchell tackle to deny Penney a probable try less than 10 metres out and fly-half Ben Dudley cleared the danger. Coach Ian Davies then began the feeding the rest of his powerful bench into the game and once Williams had calmy slotted a 40-metre penalty goal, although he unexpectedly missed another shortly afterwards, Worthing were then in control.

Earlier in the day, Worthing beat Haywards Heath in the clash of the 2nd XVs to lift the Sussex Bowl.

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