Worthington not eyeing promotion

Despite being transformed from relegation strugglers into one of the most improved sides in Devon, Paignton RFC are NOT aiming for promotion this season, according to head coach Martin Worthington, writes Dave Thomas.
The ‘new look’ Cherries, founded 150 years ago, are doing well in the Tribute South West Western West Division after a string of good results
They’ve scored around 300 points during that run.
But Worthington insists: “We’re not pushing to go up, and we haven’t got promotion as our main aim – just to finish in the top half of the table.
“We are chasing performances, not results, and we’ll see where it takes us.”
Worthington, 42, began his sporting life as a trainee footballer with Torquay United before switching to a pro career in rugby which took him to Penzance, Coventry, France and player-coach at Brixham.
He returned to lead his hometown club 18 months ago, is also coach to the Devon Under-18 side and he’s always been an enthusiastic supporter of the new lowered tackle-height (chest level) rules.
“I felt awful last year – the club was expecting things to be better than they were,” he admitted.
“We should have been relegated, and we stayed up because of the league restructure.
“But we did loads of work last summer, the players have adapted well to the new laws and we’re trying to play entertaining rugby and score as many tries as we can for our supporters to enjoy.
“Rugby needs to be more entertaining for it to push forward at all levels.
“Defences were becoming so tight.
“I inherited a team with quite a few older guys. They’ve worked hard to adapt, and the younger ones
M we’ve got coming through obviously find that easier.
“We’re offloading the ball more than we were, and that’s creating openings.
“It’s been a slow burner. I’m not quite as demanding as I was – in my first year I was maybe trying to force things on them.
“But we’ve now got a good group of boys who are mates off the pitch as well as on it, and no one doesn’t want to travel.”
Worthington also had a big word of praise for the referees who are having to impose new laws on often resistant players.
“I think the referees have been doing really well,” said Worthington.
“If a tackle is a bit high, but not malicious, most of them have been trying to let it go, but if you are reckless and high, then they card you.