South West One West

Cullompton 19 Thornbury 25

THORNBURY won at Cullompton for the first time, yet lacked the killer instinct to make the most of a wonderful first half-hour and make the game safe.

The visitors were all over Cullompton from the kick-off and should have been further ahead at half-time before substitutions for both sides changed the complexion of the game and the hosts threatened another win at the death.

However, Thorns held out for a deserved if not completely satisfactory win.

Thorns were buoyed by the unexpected return of Jak Evans from Llanelli during the week and he was thrown straight back into the side.

They looked focussed and, after Cullompton infringed, Matt Belbin put Thorns ahead with a second-minute penalty.

Thorns extended the lead with a marvellous try. Evans took the restart kick and a long, accurate pass found Ed Sheldon. He bisected two Cullompton defenders and scorched away upfield, beating everyone for speed to score between the posts. Belbin converted and Thorns were 10-0 up after only three minutes.

Thornbury looked to turn the knife as the forwards took three successive scrums against the head and pressurised Cullompton into mistakes.

But Thorns began to over-complicate moves and when one broke down Cullompton kicked ahead and scored a try, although Sheldon appeared to ground the ball ahead of the home player. The conversion went wide and after monopolizing the game, the first quarter finished with Thorns only ahead 10-5.

Belbin eased Thorns further ahead with a penalty from the restart and the lead was extended on the half-hour when Dai Matthews was first to the ball following a Tim Stephens chip behind the defence. Belbin converted.

Thornbury continued to dominate the first half but good defence and some errors kept them out and at the break they remained 20-5 ahead.

The visitors continued where they left off by scoring within 90 seconds of the start of the second half.

Cullompton knocked on, running out of defence. Matthews picked up and Evans took the ball to the line before skipper Liam Pemberton dived over for the third try. The conversion went wide but Thorns were in control at 25-5 ahead.

A fourth try seemed likely as Thorns attacked from the restart but a series of scrums were badly disrupted.

This gave Cullompton heart and they took control. Having enjoyed plentiful possession in the first half, Thorns couldn’t get their hands on the ball for lengthy periods of the second.

As the game entered its final quarter Cullompton scored a converted try, followed by a second shortly afterwards and were a converted try from the lead at 25-19.

Thornbury endured a tense final few minutes as Cullompton attacked incessantly but the defence held out.

Thornbury play Drybrook at home on Saturday (3pm) knowing that a five-point haul is essential.

Thornbury scorers: Tries – Ed Sheldon, Dai Matthews and Liam Pemberton; Conversions – Matt Belbin (2); penalties - Matt Belbin (2)

* Thornbury seconds enjoyed a fine 27-18 win over Lydney seconds, whilst the thirds, with five players under-18, lost 22-5 to Ashley Down in a particularly enjoyable game.

This weekend Thornbury seconds are away to Old Centralians seconds, whilst the thirds are home to Chipping Sodbury seconds, 3pm.