McLean’s day as Raiders strike late

By JAMES COOK

Worthing .51

Birmingham Solihull . 37

MATT McLean was the star man as Worthing Raiders triumphed in a match where the pendulum swung each way.

At half-time, Worthing led 22-11 after tries from Liam Perkins, Barnes and McLean, plus two conversions and a penalty confidently finished by McLean.

The Midlanders managed an early try from Corey Venus and two kicked penalties from Jack Jolly in response.

The teams exchanged tries early in the second half, with Max Rodman and Jack Forrest going over for their respective teams.

Forrest's converted try, his second of the game, 12 minutes into the second half, seemed to have put the game beyond Birmingham at 34-16.

But the men from the Midlands sprung into life with three unanswered and converted tries in 15 minutes.

Umraan Jadwart, Dan Kelly and Harry Smith were the scorers for the Bees with Jolly adding the extra points.

With less than ten minutes remaining and the comeback seemingly complete, Worthing broke Birmingham hearts with three more tries as John Dawe went over either side of a McLean score.

Only one of these was converted but it was enough to complete the victory for Worthing who sealed it late.

TEAMS

WORTHING: Maslen, Barnes, Richards, Forrest, Boyland, McLean, Walsh, Birch, Luke, Adams, Dingle, Lake, Harris, Dawe, Perkins. Replacements: Gearing-Grief, Gatford, Cook, Sims, Lee

BIRMINGHAM: Venus, Kelly, Nunney, Tilsley, Dight, Rodman, Jolly, Foreman, Garner, Payne, Weaver, Wright, Scriven, Brown, Jadwat. Replacements: Brabham, Pearl, Smith, Cooper, O'Sullivan

REFEREE: Calum Howard

ATTENDANCE: 485

Star man Matt McLean – Worthing