Albanian fightback thwarted by Jack
Old Albanian34
Worthing ……34
JACK Forrest earned Worthing a draw after a remarkable comeback had seen Old Albanian overhaul a 24-0 deficit to lead this clash.
It took no more than five minutes for this drama to start when Albanians lost possession on their first visit to the Worthing 22.
One hundred metres later Harry Barlow touched down for the first of his three tries and this hat-trick was only interrupted by Kiba Richards, ex-centre now No.8, who dotted down with 18 minutes gone.
Matt McLean converted Richards’ effort and Barlow’s third so just after the end of the first quarter OAs stared into the abyss at 24-0.
Somehow OAs realised their scrum and lineout was working and better times seemed just around the corner.
Charlie Hughes started the fightback on the halfhour and Tobias Munday added two more tries before the break, Dan Watt converting twice.
The Albanian improvement continued with Harry Morgan’s levelled which equalled matters.
McLean’s penalty came next but Tim Bond and Watt added ten points to the reckoning, nudging OAs into a handy lead.
Not to be outdone, Forrest was on hand for the final Raiders’ score and McLean’s conversion clinched the tie.
TEAMS
OLD ALBANIANS: Watson, Deane, Holdsworth, Watt, Brown, Wicks, Thompson, Morgan, Bond, Hughes, Illston, Bond, Betts, Munday, Hill
Replacements: White Martinez, Ackuaku, Brown, Pritchard, Lewis
WORTHING: Forrest H, Maslen, Forrest J, Miller, Barlow, McLean, Holt, Birch, Gibson, Litterick, Hammond, Lake, Cuffe, Dawe, Richards
Replacements: Luke, Gatford, Sassone, Harris, Boyland
REFEREE: Iain Kiy
ATTENDANCE: 256
Star man
Harry Barlow – Worthing
