Thornbury 53 Trowbridge 10

RICH Bennett scored three of Thornbury’s nine tries in a comprehensive win over Trowbridge. The visitors never recovered from Thorns’ first minute try and had no answer to the running lines of Thornbury’s backline.

There was a more familiar look to the Thornbury side with several players making their first appearance of the season.

Thornbury began playing uphill and took the lead after barely a minute.  Tim Stephens chipped through behind the Trowbridge defence for Dai Matthews to score.  Stephens’ conversion hit the post.

The lead was doubled five minutes later.  After Thornbury attacked down the right Wayne Underwood cross kicked for Bennett to score his first try of the afternoon.  The conversion missed but Thorns were playing with confidence and well worth their 10-0 lead.

Trowbridge got back into the game and their powerful No.8 scored from a quick penalty. The conversion missed but at 10-5 it was game on.

As the first quarter ended Jack Hussey cleared the ball from a retreating scrum and good passing put Bennett in at the corner for his second try.  Stephens converted. There was no further score and Thorns led 17-5 at the interval.

Thorns pressed from the resumption of play and after six minutes a clearing kick was taken by Bob Adams.  The ball was moved to Alfie Richardson on half way and he cut inside and outside three players then swerved past the last line of defence for a glorious try.  Stephens added the extras for 24-5.

Trowbridge scored a second try from a lineout then three minutes later good passing from a scum in midfield put Mike Gaston in out wide.  The conversion missed, then Gaston found a great line from a five-metre scrum and charged through three players to score again.  The conversion hit the post but Thorns were out of sight at 34-10.

Salt was rubbed into the Trowbridge wounds when Thorns attacked from the restart and prop George Sheldon produced a glorious dummy to run in for the seventh try.  Stephens added the extras, then four minutes later Bennett put the supporting Matthews in for another try. 

With three minutes remaining Thorns turned over a Trowbridge attack in the home ‘22’ and passed the ball to Bennett who rounded his man with ease then sprinted 70 metres to score hit hat-trick try between the posts.  He converted the score.  The referee blew for the end of the match shortly afterwards with Thorns 53-10 winners.

Thornbury’s backs looked dangerous, with Bennett incisive in attack and outstanding in defence.  The forwards had their hands full in the scrum but the lineout was better and they were on top in loose play.

Thornbury scorers: tries – Rich Bennett (3), Dai Matthews (2), Mike Gaston (2), Alfie Richardson, George Sheldon; conversions –Tim Stephens (3), Rich Bennett.

* Thornbury take on a Clifton XV at Cribbs Causeway this Thursday, kick off is 7:45.

* Thornbury Seconds and Thirds combined to defeat BAC 40-7, skipper Steve Allington getting two of Thorns’ tries.