Brian Vincent can be forgiven if his mind drifts back almost 18 years when he watches Worthing run out in the Powergen Cup tomorrow.

Skipper Jody Levett and his men have been drawn away to London Scottish in the first round proper of the nation's premier rugby knockout competition.

It is a repeat of what is still regarded as the biggest match in Worthing's history, when they visited Scottish in the same competition, then known as the John Player Special Cup, in January, 1987.

Although the tie took place before leagues were introduced, Worthing were massive underdogs that day against one of the top clubs in the all-amateur game.

Tomorrow they return to the Richmond Athletic Ground with the same number one status as their hosts. In fact, the clubs meet in league action at the same venue a week later and the belief at Worthing is that they can win at least one of the two games.

Given the option, they would probably choose league points ahead of cup glory.

Such thoughts were far from anyone's minds in 1987 as Vincent, then a second row forward, later a key committee man for club and county, admitted. But the underdogs, coached by Peter Greenwood, did their travelling hordes proud before bowing out 29-12.

Vincent said: "We had five supporters' coaches there, we had every living captain from the club's history watching and it was a big club day out. There were 1,500-2,000 club people watching on the day.

"I thought we competed reasonably well but they were a couple of yards faster in the forwards. We had some good backs, though, and we matched them there.

"We performed out of our skins.

"At that time, we were dominating the Sussex scene. We had just taken over from Lewes and we kept that squad for eight or nine years.

"My memory is that Scottish weren't any more physical than we were used to. We'd had some experience a few years before against a team called Old Redcliffians from the south west.

"They came to Worthing and we were kicked and punched off the park. That was a lesson learned for the future."

Vincent jumped in the lineout against Jeremy Campbell-Lamerton, who went on to win three Scottish caps and play in the inaugural World Cup.

Worthing scrum half Tim Mackew scored the first try of the game and Paul Coackley added the conversion and two penalties.

Vincent, though, admits forward play has come on in leaps and bounds since then.

He said: "I watch our team these days and I think 'We didn't used to play like that'.

"The skills and fitness of the forwards now really stand out but the back play at that time was as good as what we see in the modern era.

"If we could put today's forwards with the backs from back then, we would give Scottish a very interesting game."

With three wins out of three to their name, Levett's current Worthing side would hope to do that anyway and make a few golden memories of their own.