Rugby erased the disappointing memories from last week, with a rousing display scoring seven tries on their first ever visit to a warm and sunny Worthing.

The opening ten minutes were fairly frenetic with both sides kicking possession away far too often.

When Lion’s did run the ball through the back line, Ade Hales looked sure to score in the corner, but for some reason chose to pass inside, and the ball was knocked on. All was not lost, however as Sean Brady was driven over from the resulting scrum. Matt Goode missed the conversion attempt. The home side attacked down the right flank and poor defence allowed second row McGowan in for the touchdown. Coulson converted to give Worthing the lead. (7-5). A period of concerted pressure from pick and drives, resulted in Stuart Riding regaining the advantage for Rugby. Goode made the conversion this time (7-12). Lion’s back row looked much better balanced with Brady reverting to number eight, Riding at six and Campton at seven.

Worthing were caught offside at a ruck, and Goode slotted the penalty kick (7-15)

A good break by Craig Moir gave Phil Reed a sniff of a chance and he used his strength and determination to force his way over. Goode converted again to give Lions a healthy 7-22 lead at half time.

A chip and chase by Phil Reed early in the second period should have resulted in a try for Hales, but the pass was put down with the try line begging. A lovely blind-side break by Worthing’s Peach resulted in an unconverted try and put the travelling band of faithful slightly on edge. (12-22). Rugby’s pack drove over the home try-line, but the ball was deemed to be held up. Worthing were penalised at the five-metre scrum, and Lion’s chose to reset. This proved to be a good decision as Michael Rust came into the line at pace following a lovely inside pass from Jack Green. He sythed through the home defence with no hand laid on him to score under the uprights. Goode was successful with the conversion. (12-29).

Goode had a chance to increase the lead with a penalty, but the ball drifted wide. From the re-start, Campton expertly claimed the ball, which was shipped left quickly to Rust on halfway. Showing amazing speed and strength, he streaked down the line for a superb unconverted try in the corner. (12-34). Worthing hit back almost immediately when Lion’s defence parted like the red sea to gift the home side a converted try. (19-34).

A Worthing ruck was turned over just inside their own half and Rust was off again to claim his hat-trick try showing good strength to touch down one-handed. (19-39).

This allowed Lion’s to use all their replacements, and Sam Wood showed great skill to draw three opposing players on his own 22, and slip a great ball to Toby Handley. Lovely interplay between Toby and the ever-supporting Brady, led to a superb try under the posts for Lion’s scrum half. Amazingly, Matt Goode’s conversion attempt from under the posts was charged down!. (19-44).

The home side had the final say in the match, and claimed a four-try bonus point, with a converted score with the last play.

A much improved performance from the Lion’s, although there is still plenty of work to be done on the defence.