Stortford seemed to lack cohesion early on, ceding possession to the home side far too easily and then failing to make first-up tackles. Worthing were quick to take advantage and scored a try under the posts after 7 minutes to prop, Josh Ibuanopke, easily converted by fullback, Matt McLean. The visitors now started to work their way back into the game, but couldn't quite drive home their attacks and Worthing continued to threaten around the fringes of breakdowns, with lively scrumhalf, Callum Waters pulling many of the strings. After 19 minutes, though the home side was penalised for obstruction on the fringe of a ruck and a quick tap by our own livewire halfback,,Tom Banks and three or four quick passes saw flanker, Richard Gill over for a try, which Tom Coleman converted to level the scores. Stortford remained on the front foot and were unlucky not to take the lead after 25 minutes, when a Coleman penalty for handling at a ruck rebounded off a post. Worthing were next to threaten and, when the visitors were stripped of the ball at a maul, left winger, Alex Nielsen was set clear for the line with some 30 metres to go. It took a great cover tackle by Nick Hankin to bring him down a few feet short and the danger was averted, when Worthing offended at the resultant ruck. Unfortunately, the respite earned was all too brief, as Stortford proved unable to clear their lines effectively and it took only a couple of minutes of concerted pressure from the home side to stretch the defence and allow one of Worthing's many threatening runners to step back in from midfield and exploit a gap close to the previous breakdown. The visitors again bounced back and were able to level the scores again after 35 minutes, after the ball was moved quickly from right wing to the left, where Jono Child made great ground and set up excellent attacking ball for Johnny Neville to stretch over for a try, which Coleman just failed to convert.

Twelve all at halftime, but the second period started uncomfortably like the first for Stortford, in that they quickly found themselves 7 points behind, after home flyhalf, Kieran Leeming exploited a one on one aginst a visiting back row to run into space and give the ever-dangerous Nielsen an easy run in. McLean produced an excellent conversion from the touchline, which eventually proved to have been crucial to the game's outcome. The visitors successfully contested the restart and embarked on a period of concerted pressure on Worthing territory. This eventually led to a lineout some 19 yards out from the line and strong bursts by Banks and Steve Ball allowed Neville once again to use his considerable height to reach for his second try. Coleman's conversion attempt once again uncharacteristically flew wide. A seemingly harsh penalty against Dave Aldam for a high tackle after 18 minutes of the half gave Worthing a strong attacking position, which they quickly exploited, driving strongly into the opposition 22, where Gill was penalised and yellow-carded for a breakdown offence under his own posts. Stortford suffered another serious blow, when hooker, Tom Crozier had to be stretchered off with a serious leg injury incurred in the same movement. This did, though, provide the opportunity for Will Moore to make his First Team debut and the youngster seemed to relish his chance. Worthing opted for a scrum rather than the penalty and were frustrated, when the Stortford pack dug deep to hold their own and the attack broke down. The visitors were still down to 14 men, when a charge-down in midfield by Jono Child and a kick ahead to touch in the Worthing 22, as he regathered the ball, put his side onto the offensive. A penalty was won and a quick tap by Banks saw the scrumhalf almost to the line, but quick recycling and good hands produced a two on one on the left, allowing Hankin to dummy and step inside for the bonus-point try after 26 minutes of the half. Coleman's goalkick, unfortunately again flew wide, leaving his side just 3 points ahead. Worthing then embarked on an all-out assault and, even when forced back into their own 22 by a good touch find into their 22 they went- by no means for the first time - for a quick lineout. Stortford were caught completely flat-footed, but even then had at least three good opportunities to have stifled the counter-attack with one-on one tackles, each of which, unfortunately was missed, allowing some further good interpassing between Worthing's backs to put Nielsen in for his second try after 31 minutes. McLean now succumbed to the pressure of the moment and missed the conversion to leave his side only 2 points ahead. Then it was Stortford's turn to exert the pressure and they forced a couple of attacking penalties but, unfortunately just outside kicking range. Stortford's increasingly frantic efforts were rebuffed by some stern Worthing defence and the home side were delighted to hold out for the narrow win. Unfortunately their determination to hold the visitors out did seem to overstep the mark o one occasion, with what seemed to be an instance of particularly reckless use of the boot at a ruck, resulting in a head injury to John Neville. A highly frustrating day on the field, therefore ended with two Stortford players in hospital.