Civil Service took on Worthing in a top v bottom match seven days after a home game in the National Trophy Cup game, it may have helped Worthing more than Civil Service as they had rested a few players in anticipation of the league game. Civil Service still struggling to find there true strength and with further injuries from that game made more changes to their line up. Worthing know that they cannot make the same mistakes that have cost them so dear in previous seasons missing out on their promotion at the last minute. Civil Service started well forcing a penalty in the opening salvo which was inexplicably missed followed by a further attempt also missed. Early on it was apparent that the Civil Service pack were going to have a long afternoon and under pressure did manage to take the ball at the back of the scrum as they were going backwards due to James Lancaster’s skill. Worthing did seem to think that they could play with a certain amount of contempt for newly promoted Civil Service and were somewhat surprised by the determination of the forwards. There was a lot action by Worthing on and off the ball showing what it is Civil Service have to learn quickly in order to survive at this level Civil Service are far to polite at present. Worthing pressed on up the field and with a deft off load scored a well worked try 5 -0, Worthing were now putting pressure on but Civil Service but Civil Service built a good position in Worthing’s 22 but lost out and Worthing broke out with some good backs play a good piece of luck involving ball juggling and an ultra flat pass shall we say to score at the other end 12 -0. Tension was rising and Civil Service 13 was involved in a feeble attempt to delay a quick penalty and was yellow carded. Worthing capitalised on having a one less in defence found it easy to have an extra man on hand to score out wide 17 -0 with so much injury time added there was time with the player off the pitch to be punished in the 42 minute and almost unbelievably the 44 minute with tries 29 - 0 half time.
Soon after the start Civil Service avoided an early score by Worthing and returned to the fray changing two front row and steadying the scrum. Worthing playing with confidence spinning the ball about and aided by a few sloppy tackles scored again 36 -0. Civil Service pressed on and to the dismay of Worthing were rewarded with a try 36 -7 a glimmer of what could have been in this very physical encounter. Worthing may also be surprised they could only score so few tries in the second half there is more to come from Civil Service but they need to learn more of the acceptable skulduggery
PT.