It’s the usual suspects filling the scoresheet for Rams’ 43-27 win over Worthing Raiders: Ross Crame, Ben Henderson, Greg Illingworth, Conor Corrigan and Robbie Stapley all walking away with mentions in the 12-try total.

Ross Crame got the home side rolling with an early maul-over try at the back of a top-form pack. Atkins was back behind the boot for most the game and successfully converted the forwards’ efforts.

Worthing Raiders proved their namesake over the next 10 minutes with powerful attempts from their menacing back row. Kiba Richards, playing at outside-centre, eventually followed through on Worthing’s threats and scored an unconverted try.

Redingensians Rams soon ran away with the scoreboard: Greg Illingworth made a weave to score in the right-hand corner, Ben Henderson finished another devastating maul and Conor Corrigan ended an excellent break by Stapley. Atkins converted the later two and Rams had a bonus point and a 26-5 scoreline with 30 minutes on the clock.

Worthing closed the half with some strong attacks and scored a double in the final moments. Hooker Joe Watson-Brooks and winger Finlay Coxon-Smith both scored tries with Matt McLean converting the second. The interval stood with a 26-17 scoreline.

Ben Henderson was the first to score in the second half; his 4th in 2 games. Steven Bryant also broke through Worthing’s defence but had his attempt pulled back for being offside.

Worthing Raiders certainly seemed more assertive in their attacking phases, putting Rams under considerable scrutiny when play was in their possession. Ollie Foxley, Steven Bryant and Jordan Souter all did well to cover Worthing’s wide attacks and Jack Steadman, James Baker and Andy Amor managed centre-field. Despite this, Worthing came their closest to narrowing the scoreline with a further two tries from Harry Forest and Joe Watson-Brooks.

Redingensians Rams pulled ahead with two tries in the final 10 minutes, both scored by Robbie Stapley at the helm of a domineering pack. Spike Chandler converted the first of these. Andy Amor missed the second.

Their 5-point victory sees Rams ascend to 6th place in the National League 2 South table. They’ll try and maintain it next week in their final match of the season: facing Taunton Titans away in Somerset. Worthing Raiders fall to 15th place and will be fighting Exmouth for their way out of the relegation zone.

Report by Matt McCrory
Photo by Paul Clark

Redingensians Rams:
Tries: Crame 5; Illingworth 20; Henderson 23, 52; Corrigan 27; Stapley 77, 80.
Conversions: Atkins 5, 23, 27; Chandler 77

Worthing Raiders:
Tries: Richards 16; Watson-Brooks 37, 66; Coxon-Smith 39; Forest 54;
Conversions: McLean 39

Redingensians Rams:
15 - Guttridge
14 - Foxley
13 - Bryant
12 - Souter
11 - Corrigan
10 - Atkins
9 - Illingworth
1 - Steadman
2 - Henderson
3 - Baker
4 - Amor
5 - Taylor
6 - Crame
7 - Vooght
8 - Stapley (c)

Replacements:
16 - Drew
17 - Ball
18 - Allen
19 - Chandler
20 - Cole

Worthing Raiders:
15 - H. Forest
14 - Coxon-Smith
13 - Richards
12 - Loosmore
11 - Irving
10 - McLean
9 - Leeming
1 - Gatford
2 - Watson-Brooks
3 - Finney
4 - Lamb
5 - Lake
6 - Cleveland
7 - Hewick
8 - Perkins

Replacements:
16 - Gearing-Grief
17 - Adams
18 - Harris
19 - Peach
20 - J. Forest