Rugby: Thornbury make good start (From Gazette Series)

Rugby: Thornbury make good start

4:55pm Wednesday 17th September 2008 in Sport By Gazette reader

Western Counties North - Thornbury 20 Chosen Hill 16

THORNBURY’s league campaign enjoyed a winning start with a victory over Chosen Hill, writes Dave Fox.

Outscoring the Churchdown club three tries to one, Thorns endured a tense final quarter in which their outstanding defence prevented the visitors scoring the try that would have won them the game.

Thornbury began confidently and Andy Bamford and Ollie Fleming made dangerous runs. From a driving lineout Jon Day crashed over but the referee disallowed the try.

However, Thorns were not to be denied. From a scrum Dai Matthews ran parallel with his three-quarters before dummying through the Chosen defence and stretching for the try. His conversion saw Thorns 7-0 ahead.

Chosen Hill attacked and forced a penalty from which Andy King put them on the scoreboard. However, Thornbury extended their lead a few minutes later when Steve Allington outstripped the defence to score an unconverted try.

Thornbury dominated the remainder of the half, although King kicked a second penalty but Thornbury’s 12-6 half time lead seemed scant reward for their superiority.

The match, sponsored by Wards Solicitors, restarted and King and Matthews exchanged early penalties. Then Matthews scored his second try, finishing a move involving forwards and backs. The conversion missed but Thorns were 20-9 ahead and the match seemed theirs.

Instead, Matthews’ try inspired Chosen Hill. The visitors spent virtually all the last quarter of the game in the Thornbury 22, and much of that close to the line.

The Thornbury defence was magnificent, however Chosen wing Benn Boseley scored a converted try to put a win within reach. They then drove over for a try but the referee awarded a home scrum for accidental offside. Matthews cleared and after Chosen failed to win the lineout the referee blew for the end of the match, much to the relief of the Thornbury faithful.

l Thornbury first XV travel to Keynsham for the second league game fresh after a home win over Chosen Hill. Keynsham, who were promoted to Western Counties North last season, were defeated by North Bristol last weekend. This will be a game Thornbury head coach Tony Down will have targeted for victory.

The second XV are home to Caldicot and the thirds away to BAC in the Merit Table.