Pre-season warm-up

Thornbury 12 Old Patesians 55

A Thornbury side containing several new, young and unfamiliar faces went down fighting to an impressive and more clinical Old Patesians side yet Thorns gained credit from the defeat.

For the first game of the season only Mike Gaston from last season’s regular backs was on duty in what looked a shadow side. Old Pats, from the division above, fielded a strong team.

Scrum half Bob Adams, prop Colm O’Loughlin and flanker Bertie Ridley-Thomas pulled on Thornbury jerseys for the first time, whilst Harry Calder and Jack Fare made their first team debuts.  Alfie Richardson made his home debut at fullback.

Thornbury began the game well and the crisp passing of Bob Adams gave the outside backs opportunity to run early, but Thorns conceded at turnover and the initiative was passed to Old Pats. 

After a period defending they conceded a turnover on halfway and good passing put the right wing in at the corner.  An excellent conversion opened up a 7-0 lead.

Undeterred, Thorns took play to the Old Pats line from the restart but lost an important attacking lineout.  Shortly afterwards an impressive counter-attack led to a second converted Old Pats try.

Things went from bad to worse three minutes later when Thorns conceded a scrum against the head and some woeful defence allowed their centre to score.  With twenty minutes gone Old Pats led 19-0.

Shortly after the restart Joe Jackson produced a try-saving tackle, then Tom Head gave Thorns hope when he gathered a dropped ball, and raced in for an opportunist try.  The conversion missed but the first of three periods ended with Thorns trailing 19-5.

Both sides shuffled their teams for the second period and shortly after the restart Thorns dismantled the Old Patesians scrum, then repeated the feat a few minutes later.  Bertie Ridley-Thomas and Sam Jenkins combined to open up Old Pats down the left but the visitors’ defence was well-organised and Thorns were kept out.

Thorns were getting more possession and Alfie Richardson became more involved in the game.  Eventually Thorns were awarded a penalty close to the Old Pats line.  Jackson took it quickly and touched down for the try, which he converted for 19-12. 

It was the least they deserved, playing with great spirit and making Old Pats look ordinary.  Thorns had dominated the second period and the game looked to go either way.  Both sides made further changes for the final period.  Within seconds of the start Thornbury made a hash of clearing loose ball and conceded a converted try.

Thornbury looked weary and disjointed as the visitors scored another try and a further four in the last ten minutes to give the scoreline a flattering edge.

Those who looked at the score alone could be forgiven for thinking that Thornbury had failed to turn up and would gain little from the game.  However, reality is that there were many positives from the match. 

The new players took the opportunity to show what they can do and delivered impressive performances.  Young players such as Alfie Richardson, Sam Jenkins and Harry Calder showed promise, whilst the introduction of Chops O’Loughlin turned the scrum to Thornbury’s benefit. 

Bob Adams played in three positions as Rob Higgitt moved players around to try out different combinations. With players returning from holiday Thorns can look ahead with confidence.

Thornbury scorers: tries –Tom Head and Joe Jackson; conversion – Joe Jackson.

Next Saturday Thornbury First XV play Trowbridge and the Second and Third XVs will combine to play BAC First XV.  Both games are at home, kick off 3:00.