By David Haigh

An out-of-sorts Canterbury were made to pay heavily for poor discipline and basic errors in their 38-18 National League 2 East defeat at Worthing Raiders.

The city side shipped four of those scores in the first half as they repeatedly gave away penalties. By half-time they were 16 points in arrears and struggling to find a way into the game.

Worthing took an early lead with a try from full-back Fergus Guiry, converted by Harrison Sims, and they were always in front.

A Frank Reynolds penalty goal put Canterbury on the scoreboard but they were soon on the retreat, and a yellow card for Will Calder brought the inevitable punishment with a catch-and-drive try for Raiders hooker Elliott Luke.

The one bright spot of the half for the visitors came in the 29th minute when Cameron Murray powered over for a close-range try, but an attack plagued by handling mistakes and stray passes fell well below the required standards.

Worthing forged further ahead with two tries before the break. A yellow card for Tyler Oliver and a penalty try were quickly followed by the bonus-point score. Canterbury conceded another penalty and Jonny Smith was driven over from the lineout.

It wasn't until the last quarter of the game that the city side came to life. By then Raiders were out of sight thanks to Luke's second try, converted by Sims, and the best Canterbury could hope for was a losing bonus point.

The late momentum brought two tries for the hard-working Billy Young, sandwiched by Worthing's last touchdown, another close-quarter blast finished by Ethan Clarke.

That consolation bonus point was clearly on offer as Canterbury's backs launched the final attack of the game, but the accuracy that was missing all afternoon denied them again.

Canterbury, 10th in the standings, return to league action at home to Dorking on October 15.

Canterbury: Halliday, Morgan, Waddington, Best, Hilton, Reynolds, Calder, Young, Morris, Herriott, Irvine, De Vries, Stephens, Murray, Oliver. Replacements: A Cooper, Lusher, Cadman, B Cooper, Howard.