Tribute South West One West

Thornbury 46 Matson 26

THE YOUNGEST Thornbury side fielded in a generation ran in six tries as Thorns defeated Matson in a fine game.

Eighteen-year old Jake Wood contributed 21 points and teenagers Harry Tarling and Jake Goodridge scored tries as Thorns avenged last season’s home defeat to Matson with a confident display of open rugby in front of a large crowd.

Thornbury kicked off downhill and took early control. Goodridge enjoyed an early run before Wood opened the scoring with a fourth minute penalty and quickly followed that with a second.

Thorns were giving the ball plenty of width but good defence from Matson was keeping the waves of attacks out.

A try looked certain when Jack Summerfield, Harry Glew and Luke Panting were all involved in running back a poor clearing kick but Thorns were caught offside in front of the Matson posts and the visitors cleared.

Against the run of play Matson took the lead with a converted try from a driving lineout. Then midway through the first half Rich Bennett was tackled on the Matson line but Thorns infringed at the ruck and Matson cleared.

Thornbury were not to be denied and after the Matson captain was yellow-carded Jak Evans took a penalty to himself and scored Thorns’ first try. Wood converted for 13-7.

Thorns went further ahead when Sam Evans scored from a well-worked driving lineout. Then when Matson attacked from the restart Panting intercepted and fed Tarling who sprinted thirty metres for a try. Wood converted both for 27-7.

Matson hit back with a converted try but Thorns led 27-14 at half time.

Thornbury secured the try bonus two minutes after the restart of the game. Attacking from a lineout Thorns crated space out wide and Bennett ran if for a terrific try. The conversion stretched Thorns’ advantage to 34-14.

Matson again hit back with a try, then as the game went into the final quarter Thornbury scored again when great movement of the ball saw Wood score out wide. He was unable to convert but at 39-19 the game was won. With ten minutes remaining Goodridge secured loose ball and sprinted forty metres to score. Wood converted for 46-19. Outstanding defence kept Matson out as they pounded the Thornbury line looking for the try that would earn them a point, and they scored a long-distance try deep in stoppage time for the bonus.

Necessity had forced the hand of Thornbury’s selectors and they released the youngsters from the Development Squad, who will have all learnt a great deal from their experience. Each player made a significant contribution. Jake Goodridge had a great game in the loose and combined well with Jak Evans in the back row. James Wood and Sam Evans carried powerfully whilst props Luke Panting and Jack Summerfield did remarkably well against an experienced and fierce Matson eight.

Behind the scrum the backs were busy in attack and had plenty of defending to do. However, it was not surprising that the sponsors awarded the Man of the Match to Jake Wood for an outstanding performance.

Next weekend Thorns travel to Clevedon, kick off 3:00.

Thornbury scorers: tries – Jak Evans, Sam Evans, Tarling, Bennett, Wood, Goodridge; conversions –Wood (5); penalties –Wood (2)