Worthing Raiders are delighted to be up and running again after 18 months away.

But a lot has changed at Roundstone Lane since Covid halted rugby in its tracks.

Jack Forrest’s second try of the match secured a 33-22 win over Guernsey on the big return to National Two South.

Raiders have had a change of head coach and turnover of players since they previously played, back in March last year.

Jordan Turner-Hall is now in charge and seven players made their league debuts for the club on Saturday.

There is very much the feel of a fresh start.

And it felt so good to be back as they bagged a bonus point win.

Director of rugby Rene Draude said: “It was a good hit out after 18 months away.

“The lads were really excited about it.

“There have been false starts. There was talk of a cup competition at one stage, which didn’t materialise.

“But what the 18 months has done is give us the chance to do a baseline reset.

“What does it means to play for Worthing? How do we want to play as a team?

“There has been good recruitment and we have looked after the players who were already here.”

Raiders kept in shape via online fitness sessions when necessary and trained together when they could.

Covid testing is in place at training sessions and matches while various protocols remain.

As at many rugby clubs, matchdays are complicated by the fact more than one fixture takes place on site on a Saturday afternoon.

But Raiders enjoyed being back, especially when the pace was increased and spaces opened up.

Tries from Forrest and Will Scholes, plus a pair of Matt McLean penalties, had the hosts 16-0 up at the break.

Guernsey cut that to 16-14 before Harrison Sims’ long pass sent Jerome Rudders in for a score which McLean goaled.

The lead was reduced to 23-22 going into the final stages.

McLean put over another penalty and some great work at a maul by Kemp Price helped set up the platform for Forrest to end any doubts.

Getting on for 500 spectators enjoyed the action.

That number will be greatly increased this Saturday as Bury St Edmonds visit for what has been designated Worthing’s centenary celebration match.

Centenary? The club were actually founded in 1920.

That is sort of how things have been since March last year.

Adaptability and patience have been the watchwords. It feels like it is starting to pay off.

Brighton Blues are also off to a flyer after winning 57-38 at CS Stags in London and South East Premier.

They were 29-7 up at half-time and coach Frank Taggart was willing not to dwell too long on what he felt was a drop-off in performance in the second period.

Blues tested themselves in high quality pre-season fixtures against Brentwood, London Welsh and Horsham.

Taggart said: “We have trained well for 12 weeks but it’s different when there are league points at stake.

“You could tell there were a few nerves but we dealt with it really well.

“We conceded too many points in the second half for my liking and the lads know that.

“But we take so much out of that game.”

James Trevis (2), Brennan Edwards (2), Sean O’Hagan, Olly Smith, Louis Douglas and David McIlwaine scored tries.

Edwards and Douglas are the two youngest members of the squad and were both making their debuts in the division.

O’Hagan’s penalty and seven conversions gave him 22 points in total.

In London One South, Chichester opened with a 50-15 win over London Cornish at Oaklands Park. Horsham went down 36-16 at Guildford.