South West One West

Thornbury 27 Matson 20

THORNBURY secured maximum points in a bruising win over Matson but the injury jinx struck again with two more players lost to serious injuries.

A dominant first half saw Thorns secure a comfortable lead at the break but fail to convert that into the substantial victory it should have been as Matson were allowed back into the game in the second half.

Thornbury kicked off and Matt Belbin opened the scoring with a sixth minute penalty after Ed Sheldon was obstructed chasing a kick ahead.

The full back suffered an ankle injury and was replaced by Joe Jackson.

Matson attacked from the restart and Tom Porter scored from a driving lineout. The conversion went wide but Connor Gwilliam made no mistake with a penalty minutes later and Matson led 8-3 against the run of play.

Thorns took play to the Matson 22 from the restart and, after the pack drove towards the Matson line, Jak Evans exploited a gap in the defence and spun out of a tackle to crash over for the try. Belbin’s conversion restored the lead.

Matson made a mess of the restart and from the ensuing scrum Thorns ran hard and direct giving Ross Baker space out wide.

He raced for the corner but pulled a muscle 15 metres out and hobbled to the line for the score.

He was replaced by Rob Higgitt as Belbin converted with an excellent kick from out wide. Thorns led 17-8.

A third try came a few minutes later. After concerted attacking in the Matson 22, the ball was switched to the left where Mike Gaston had the time and space to stroll in for the try.

The conversion went wide but after 30 minutes Thorns were 22-8 ahead.

Thornbury continued to dominate but despite plenty of possession they were unable to get the fourth try they deserved before the break.

Matson began the second half with purpose and, while Thorns struggled to get going, the Gloucester club scored two tries through Ryan Woodhouse and Aaron Tonks to reduce the deficit to 22-20.

The momentum was with them but Thorns survived a torrid third quarter and then took control for the last 20 minutes.

Higgitt, Belbin and Evans made breaks but were unable to score before Thorns attacked from a scrum and Evans kicked behind the Matson defence.

The Matson wing took the ball over his line but Rich Bennett tackled him and the ball went loose for Evans to dive on the ball for the try.

The conversion missed but Thorns had the bonus point and a seven-point lead.

Thornbury's tails were up again and a fine charge from Luke Panting took play deep into the Matson 22.

Higgitt and Evans were tackled short, then Thorns attacked out wide and George Jackson raced over for the try but the referee disallowed the score for a forward pass.

Thorns closed out the game to take maximum points.

Thornbury scorers: Tries – Jak Evans (2), Ross Baker, Mike Gaston; Conversions – Matt Belbin (2); Penalty – Matt Belbin.

* Thornbury Seconds lost 27-0 to Drybrook in the Premier Division of the GRFU Reserves League, whilst the thirds' game in Bristol and District League Division Two was postponed when Whitehall were unable to raise a side.

Thornbury Development XV also had a game called off when Stroud Colts were unable to raise a side.

The firsts don’t have a game this weekend but Thornbury Seconds are home to Cinderford Thirds and the thirds are home to Clifton Fourths, both 2.30pm.

On Sunday, Thornbury Development play Painswick in the Gloucestershire league, 1pm.