THORNBURY skipper Liam Pemberton insists his team-mates need to talk more as they look to arrest a worrying slump in fortunes over the Christmas and New Year periods.

The latest defeat to North Pemberton in the Tribute South West One West table, by 22-20, left the Gloucestershire outfit in ninth position, having lost four successive matches, three of which were against sides around them in mid-table.

Admittedly, the Thorns have had injury problems, including the loss of hooker Luke Workman, flanker Tom Guzman plus centres Dai Matthews and player-coach Rob Higgitt, over the December.

But the heat is on to avoid the reserves continuing further, although they face an enormous task this weekend when they tackle high-flying leaders Cleve at Rockhampton Road.

Flanker Pemberton said: “We have had a few video sessions and a look at what we have done wrong. We have our patterns but we need to communicate with each other when there are spaces outside.

“That is something we have to work on and where we can move forward. We know we can score tries but we have to capitalise on this.

“We were ok in the run-up to Christmas but, one way or another with a few injuries, we cannot seem to get it together week in and week out. One of the other main things we are struggling with is fielding the same XV. You have not consistency when that happens.”

However, if there was a real incentive for Thornbury to get back in the winning groove again, it would be to re-pay their faithful fans.

Captain Pemberton said: “Our supporters are fantastic and the boys really appreciate them. They travel all over the place with us.”

It would be a big victory to turn over Cleve but the biggest tests for Thornbury will come towards the end of the month. They take on bottom-of-the-table Clevedon on Saturday week and, after a cup match with Old Redcliffians, have Cullompton, one place above Clevedon, on January 31.

But Pemberton is only too aware that these fixtures against sides they are expected to beat will not be walk-overs. Indeed, Clevedon caused a shock last Saturday by turning over fourth-placed Cambourne by 19-14.

He added: “There are no easy games in this league and no side is guaranteed five points. At the start of the season, we wanted to finish higher than last season. We have slipped off course and we need to get back on track.”

l Read how Thornbury will approach Cleve and other match reports inside.