DAVID Dunn believes Worthing will face a different test when they visit Chapel Gate tomorrow.
The National Two South leaders travel to Dorset having tasted a rare defeat, to Redruth, in their last encounter.
Prior to that 26-22 reverse down in Cornwall, the Raiders had gone eight unbeaten and thumped Dunn’s men 45-14 at the Rugby Park back in September.
But Dunn said: “We were caught out a bit when we went down there. It was a lovely sunny day and solid underfoot, which suited Worthing’s expansive game and they hit us hard in the first 20 minutes.
“But with the weather we’re having, it will be harder for them when they come to us. We’ve been looking forward to this one for a while now and I think we will put in a better performance this time. It will be an important game for all of our players.
“I think both sides will be under-strength as this is a rearranged fixture that was postponed before Christmas, plus it is an international weekend. That could also level the playing field a bit.”
Lions have lost their past three league clashes and haven’t registered a victory since December 15 when they eased past lowly Barking 38-10.
Dunn, though, looks set to hand a debut to new signing Jaryd Robinson, the former Worthing wing.
He added: “It will be good to see Jaryd in action as he is a really exciting prospect, plus he is a former Worthing player so it is fitting that he makes his debut against his old side.”
Lions: (from) Burns, Wilford, Manning, Seward, Forrest, Andrews, Grace, Booth, Hardcastle, Stevenson, Edwards, Connolly, Chislett, Robinson, Lilley, Wiseman, Collier, Peart, Drake, Stewart, O’Brien.
- Elsewhere, double cup winners Wimborne get back to Southern Counties South league action when they host basement boys Supermarine at Leigh Park.
The All Blacks added the Southern Counties Intermediate Cup to their trophy cabinet last weekend, having already won the Dorset & Wilts Intermediate Cup earlier in the season.
Struggling Swanage & Wareham, meanwhile, face the daunting prospect of trying to get their stuttering season back on track when they welcome South West One East high-fliers Swindon to Bestwall.
Swans are bottom of the pile and without a league win since December 8. In Southern Coun-ties South, meanwhile, Oakmea-dians travel to leaders Devizes.
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