TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS were disappointed to be held to a draw in another National Two South contest in which there was little to choose between the sides.
With handling proving tricky in the wind and rain, both sides opted for the aerial route early on so phase plays were limited.
TJs opened the scoring with a Will Robinson penalty but Worthing hit back with a try wide on the left and a penalty of their own.
The visitors found a foothold in the Worthing half and a quick tap allowed them to spread it wide right and Murray Galbraith-Lowe dotted down for an unconverted try.
Robinson added a penalty to put his side in the lead but another kick hit the upright and bounced back out.
Worthing gathered the loose ball and a series of quick plays saw them get in behind the TJ defence to score under the posts, and they went in 15-11 ahead at the break.
The second half largely belonged to TJs in terms of territory but they lacked creativity. Then Hugo Watson charged downfield and Worthing knocked on in defence.
From the ensuing scrum the ball found Duncan Tout and he offloaded for substitute Rob White to crash over under the sticks. Robinson converted and TJs were back in front with 10 minutes to play.
Worthing had hardly escaped their half as they sought to stifle TJs rather than open up for any scoring chances.
They went close but the referee called them back for a scrum penalty which they kicked from some way out to level the scores.
The last five minutes saw TJs scrambling to defend and keep Worthing at bay, which they managed to do – but their hosts were still delighted with the draw.
The result saw TJs slip back to fifth place behind Taunton Titans, and they now return to The Slade for the visit of Redruth on Saturday [December 8, kick-off 2pm].
