RUGBY: Four minutes of madness costs Raiders at Dings

A severely depleted Worthing side trailed by just a point at half-time, 11-10, but a disappointing four-minute spell early in the second period saw them ship 15 points.

Despite the defeat, Hinchcliffe believes it was far from all doom and gloom, and said: "It was a poor four minutes in the second half and that ultimately cost us.

"Apart from that spell, we were more than competitive. However, when you shed that amount of points in a limited time, you're going to struggle to get back into it.

"They came at us hard after the break and kicked a penalty on 48 minutes. They then came straight through again to score.

"Then the same thing happened in virtually a carbon copy, which they converted.

"I pretty much missed them all as I was still writing down the details of the last score. Each time, I just looked up as their winger was running clear.

"However, after this period, they really came at us hard to get the fourth try and the bonus point.

"They really threw the kitchen sink at us, but we defended very well to keep them out.

"We then put them under a bit of constant pressure, and got a number of penalties, but we just couldn't break them down and go over.

"It was a game we probably could have won but Dings is a difficult place to go, and not everyone enjoys playing there.

"It has been known as a bit of a fortress over the years, but as they have lost a couple there this season, we did fancy our chances.

"But we do have an enormous injury list at the moment, which never helps. The backs are having wholesale changes made to the line-up, week-in, week-out.

"However, people are starting to return and we also have a game in hand over the teams around us."

On Saturday, Worthing were without Will Stutchbury, Adam Halsey, Matt McLean, Greg Walker, Paul Dunckley and Steve May all through injury, while Luke Spells and Jack Metters were unavailable.

Worthing started the match the brighter, and after a couple of charge-downs, Charlie McGowan picked up the ball and went over for the first try.

Dings responded with two penalties from Adam Westall, before their pacy winger, George Watkins, put down his first of three tries after 20 minutes.

Worthing then had a period of sustained pressure, which saw two penalties go for line-outs and one for a scrum, before Joe Launchbury barged over to make it 11-10 at the break.

The second half saw Worthing crash, as Westfall first converted a penalty before Watkins twice went over '“ the second of which Westfall converted.

Raiders were forced to play the last five minutes with 14 men after Chris Meddings was helped off with what, at the time, was feared to be a broken leg. However, it has now been confirmed as severe bruising.

WORTHING: Maidment, Pointing, Bennett, Launchbury, McGowan, Arthur, Redmayne, Smith, Rogers, Govett, Yeates, Adams, Meddings, Nielson, Marshall. Subs: Cleveland, Emmett, Smith, Costigan, Dudley.

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