South West One West

Thornbury 39 Bridgwater & Albion 32

THORNBURY secured maximum points as at the fourth attempt they managed to turn a lead into a victory over Bridgwater.

However, Thorns conceded 21 points in a poor last quarter, which almost cost them the game.

Thorns played downhill for the first half and began at pace, forcing the visitors to concede a penalty after 80 seconds.

Joe Jackson slotted over the kick and, after Thornbury had taken play back into the Bridgwater 22, he kicked a second for a 6-0 lead.

Bridgwater scored a penalty themselves before Jackson took a quick penalty and Wayne Underwood fed Ed Sheldon, who raced past two opponents and out-stripped the cover to score in the corner. Jackson converted with a terrific kick from the touchline to open up a 13-3 lead.

Bridgwater kicked another penalty, then when a Bridgwater attack ended with a bad pass the ball was kicked upfield. Ollie Fleming and Ed Sheldon led the race for the ball with Sheldon getting his second try of the match. Jackson converted for a 20-6 lead.

The Bridgwater forwards hit back with a try, then as the first half went into stoppage time Mike Gaston led a charge upfield. He passed inside to Underwood, who fed George Jackson and the No 8 charged in at the corner. The conversion missed but Thorns led 25-11 at half-time.

Sheldon was causing havoc for Bridgwater, who were guilty of unsubtle targeting of the full back.

One run ended with a stiff-arm tackle and after the third in the second half his ankle was trodden on off the ball and he left the field.

However, that run had ended close to the Bridgwater line and after Luke Workman was held up Rob Higgitt dived over for the try, which Jackson converted.

The fifth Thornbury try came minutes later. A Jack Hussey charge was taken on by Ollie Fleming and George Jackson for Stuart Adams to score between the posts. Jackson converted for 39-11.

Unfortunately the referee lost some control and yellow cards were dished out, and with Thornbury down to 13 men Bridgwater scored two converted tries in quick succession to reduce arrears to 39-25.

In the fifth minute of injury time Bridgwater took a scrum against the head on the Thornbury line and scored in the corner, with the fine conversion giving them a losing bonus point.

Thornbury scorers: Tries – Ed Sheldon (2), George Jackson, Rob Higgitt and Stuart Adams; Conversions – Joe Jackson (4); penalties - Joe Jackson (2).

Star man: Luke Workman.

* Thornbury Colts are through to the county Final following a fine 15-12 win over Keynsham.

Alfie Richardson and Rich Timbrell scored tries for Thorns, with Sam Jenkins converting one and kicking a penalty.

Thornbury will play Cleve in the final in two weeks' time.

* Thornbury seconds defeated Chosen Hill Seconds 74-15, whilst the thirds went down 39-19 to Old Bristolians.