Shall we start with the score? It is regarded as the most important thing after all, and falling on the wrong side of it total failure. This by logic could mean that every week 50% of people playing rugby have a miserable time. So when I looked at the guys faces at the end of the game I could see they were disappointed but I could also pick up a sense of pride about how as a team we had conducted ourselves throughout the game. I'm not going to over do it, we didn’t play our best against what was another tough team, shorn of the youth that made such a big impact against BG and with only 14 starting players. Even if we played beyond our ability it was going to be a tall order getting another win against a side that only narrowly lost to run away league leaders Pulborough.

The match started at a good pace and many in the team will duly admit disappointment at the amount of missed tackles. I’ll let them off a bit in that Worthing were asking some tough questions with strong determined runners. It wasn’t all one way traffic, Horsham were good in the set piece and ball that was won was being sent back with equal determination.

Whilst the first half did eventually go Worthing’s way Horsham did get on the scoreboard courtesy of super bit of play from Sam Lunn. Kicking from a greatly pressurised Worthing scrum (top work forwards) Sam ran aggressively toward the Worthing line before sending up an inviting kick, just when it looked like he’d collect his own, a shoulder contest eased him out the way. Fortunately this also removed the defender from the picture and Gary Simmonds was on hand to secure the points. Ryan O’Gorman didn’t miss and secured the extras. Gumbo threw back the years with a little rampage down the blind side from a scum but I think he was half relieved that he didn’t have to sprint for the line.

The second half fairly closely mirrored the first in terms of possession and patterns with perhaps the scrummaging edge Horsham had had reversed with Worthing’s ability to bring on fresh front row but the Horsham three of Kim Platfoot, Joe Freeman and Dan Stephens earnestly stuck to their task without complaint. In the loose constant infringement from Worthing at the breakdown finally saw the Referee lose his patience and send one to the bin with a yellow in what was a good clean match.

I’d like to take this point to thank Worthing for lending us a player in each half. Both had a real positive impact on the team and are a credit to Worthing RFC. It was one of those players I think who scored our second try.

My second point wasn’t so positive, the Worthing 7 who had a fine game seemed to enjoy dancing a little jig over the ball after a penalty was awarded to them. It was a little disrespectful to our guys, some of whom have probably been playing as long as he’s been alive. Hopefully he’ll feel a little embarrassed about the whole episode when he reflects back on it.

So finally the score! I think it was 7 trys to 2 and a loss. So was it enjoyable? Well I certainly enjoyed some of the mini contests within the game and hopefully so did the rest of the lads. Our MOTM for the day was our overseas representative Dan (Arizona) Stephens who was so tired at the end of the match had to be helped off the pitch. Playing away in the clubs bottom team is always a big ask and I'd like to thank the 14 who stepped up this week securing what may be important points on the road to survival.

Next week - Horsham Badgers (new name - 100% unbeaten record) will be hoping to take a bit of consistency in selection and availabilities in to next week’s game at home against Littlehampton.

As it’s our last home game of 2014 we are looking to have a little social gathering afterwards with an imaginative theme of Christmas (tinsel, jumpers or any of the xmas tat you find) prize for the funniest. Fines for the poorest efforts. That is all.

Rob Clegg