Tribute South West One West

Thornbury 24 Newent 20

PROP Dalton Tice scored a try in last play to earn Thornbury a maximum points win from a thrilling game much of which Thorns played with only 14 men.

The victory rounded off a great day for the club which had begun with a visit from England internationals Mako and Billy Vunipola, returning to the club at which they had played their junior rugby.

The opening stages were even then Newent went ahead with a penalty after 14 minutes. Shortly after the restart, Newent struggled to deal with the power of the Thornbury scrum and conceded a penalty try converted by Harry Glew to put Thorns ahead.

The lead was extended five minutes later. As Thorns attacked in the Newent 22, a kick out wide picked out Liam Pemberton. He was tackled without the ball but Wayne Underwood followed up and crashed over for a try in the corner and a 12-3 lead.

Newent hit back with a converted try before Luke Workman was driven over for a try from a driving lineout just before half-time. Thorns led 17-10 at the break.

Early in the second half, teenage centre Harry Tarling was sent off for a dangerous tackle. Newent capitalised and scored an unconverted try.

Fears that Thornbury’s 17-15 lead looked precarious were confirmed shortly afterwards when Jonny Heaven was yellow-carded close to the Thornbury line and the Newent full-back scored a try to ease the visitors ahead 20-17.

Thornbury kept Newent out with excellent defence then regained control close to the end. With two minutes of normal time remaining, Thorns were awarded a penalty. A successful kick would tie the score but Thorns went for field position.

Sam Evans was driven over but the referee was unsighted. Newent continued to infringe and Thorns had another penalty but the Newent hooker was injured and scrums became uncontested.

With time up, Thorns moved the ball through the backs from a line-out. Rob Higgitt passed inside to Tice who showed great determination and shrugged off one tackler, burst through a double-tackle then crashed through two final tacklers on the line for a magnificent individual try. The try bonus point and game in the bag, Glew added the extras and the referee blew for full-time.

This was an outstanding match, and one which excited the substantial number of neutral spectators. The scrum and line-out improved significantly and skipper Liam Pemberton showed great courage to go for the win late on. George Maggs had his best game since returning from his lengthy injury and the carries from James Wood, Sam Evans and Tice were significant.

But it was Tice who was the outstanding individual on the pitch. This weekend the first XV have Saturday, off then travel to North Petherton in their next game on March 4.

l Thornbury seconds drew 22-22 with Frampton Cotterell. Thornbury scorers were tries by Tom Head, Connor Thurgood and skipper Steve Allington. Jon Pullin converted two and kicked a penalty.

Thornbury Development XV slipped to their first defeat of the season, losing 27-24 at Keynsham. Thornbury try scorers were James Jackson (2), Tighe Shipton and Josh Panting. Jake Wood and Josh Panting added conversions.