Tribute South West One West

Thornbury 34 Teignmouth 28

THORNBURY moved up to second in theTribute South West One West league table following a maximum points win over a tenacious Teignmouth side in a game played in atrocious conditions.

Dai Matthews scored tries either side of half-time, and Thornbury scored 22 points in the third quarter of the game to ease them comfortably ahead and to allow them to control the latter stages of the match.

Heavy rain had fallen for much of the previous three weeks and the pitch was sodden, but Thornbury ground staff had worked wonders to make the pitch playable.

Thornbury kicked off uphill into a stiff breeze and went ahead after eight minutes. Wayne Underwood hoisted a Garryowen which landed between two Teignmouth defenders. Rich Bennett chased, collected the ball and raced forty metres for the opening try. Tom Luke converted for a 7-0 lead.

The lead lasted three minutes as Teignmouth capitalised on a poor Thornbury lineout for their hooker to pounce on the ball for a converted try.

Thornbury centre Matthews was becoming a handful with his powerful charges but the slippery ball prevented Thorns from scoring on several occasions.

Instead it was Teignmouth who scored next when the referee awarded a penalty try for a deliberately collapsed maul.

With half-time approaching, Thornbury attacked and good passing put Bennett clear on halfway. He created space for Matthews to charge for the line and score in the corner.

The conversion missed but Teignmouth still lead 14-12.

The lead changed 51 seconds into the second-half. Thorns ran the restart kick back and Matthews broke through, kicked over the Teignmouth fullback and just won the race for the ball. Luke converted and Thorns were ahead 19-14.

The lead was short-lived. Teignmouth executed a well-worked move from a lineout to score a third converted try and regain the lead at 21-19.

But Thorns were on fire. They played accurately and at pace, despite the driving rain that started during the interval, and took the lead for the final time ten minutes after the break. From a scrum on the Teignmouth ten metre line, Matthews stepped inside his opposite number and charged up to the full-back, drew the defender and passed to Tom Luke for the bonus point try. Luke converted then added a penalty for 29-21.

Thorns’ tails were up and were awarded a scrum on the visitors’ line. Jack Hussey picked up and charged but Louis Osborne was in support and he crashed over for the try. The conversion hit the post but Thorns were ahead 34-21.

Teignmouth drove over for a fourth try from a five-metre lineout and the conversion brought them to within six points. But the result was never in doubt as Thorns closed out the game.

It was important Thornbury played the game and although the conditions were far from ideal Thorns played with purpose. The first-half was a little ragged but in the third quarter Thorns were imperious.

With Bridgwater’s game postponed, Thornbury took the second spot.

Thorns are at North Petherton on Saturday in an important game for both clubs as North Petherton fight for survival whilst Thornbury look to consolidate their position.