South West One West

Thornbury 21 North Petherton 33

THORNBURY controlled possession and territory yet lacked the accuracy to convert their chances into points and lost their third successive league game.

Knock-ons and possession lost in the tackle cost them several clear-cut chances as North Petherton did the simple things well and scored whenever they had the opportunity.

The Thornbury pack played well and had their visitors in trouble at the scrum but are at the foot of the table without a win to their name.

Early Thornbury pressure came to nothing and the visitors opened the scoring on four minutes when the hooker crashed over.

Tim Stephens replied with a well-struck penalty shortly afterwards.

The scrum was going well and Nick Balman was outstanding in the lineout.

Thornbury pressed in the 22 but a knock-on close to the line allowed the visitors to clear. They took the play to the home line and the forwards drove over for a try. The conversion missed but Thorns were 10-3 behind.

Stephens reduced the arrears with a penalty but North Petherton scored again from the restart when a poor clearing kick was run back and the wing was awarded a try, although it appeared he touched down over the in-goal line.

Jack Hussey burst out of a rolling maul in the North Petherton 22 minutes later but the three-quarters knocked on with the line at their mercy. However, Stephens slotted over his third penalty.

Two late penalties saw North Petherton lead 21-9 at half-time.

Thorns began the second half well and Luke Workman crashed over by the posts for a try.

Stephens converted and Thorns were back in the game.

However, North Petherton scored the bonus point try from the restart and the conversion eased them 28-16 ahead.

Thornbury then completely dominated the remainder of the third period, virtually all of which took place in the North Petherton 22. They created four clear chances to score but their hands let them down on each occasion.

As the match went into the final quarter North Petherton surged up-field and scored in the corner completely against the run of play. The conversion went wide but they were out of sight at 33-16.

Ed Sheldon played on the wing for the second half but saw little of the ball until late on when he twice had good runs.

As the match went into stoppage time he ran and kicked ahead. The defence made a hash of clearing the ball under pressure from Sheldon and Tom Guzman followed up to score in the corner.

The conversion missed and North Petherton had won by taking their chances; Thornbury had lost by not taking theirs.

Errors cost Thorns the game but there were positives to be taken. T

he Thornbury pack had a fine afternoon in the tight and Tom Guzman was awarded man of the match for a tireless and influential performance.

Things don’t get easier for Thornbury as their next match is away at Cleve on Saturday, 2.30pm.

Thornbury scorers: Tries - Luke Workman, Tom Guzman; Conversion - Tim Stephens; Penalties - Tim Stephens (3).

* Thornbury seconds’ game with Whitehall was called off due to referee shortages, whilst the thirds lost 60-19 to a St Brendan’s Old Boys second team, which was full of first team players and university students.

This Friday evening, Thornbury Development XV travel to Chippenham for a National U18 Cup match, 7.30pm.

On Saturday, Thornbury seconds go over the bridge to play Welsh Club Ynysddu seconds, whilst the thirds are home to Cinderford fourths.