Tribute South West One West

North Petherton 6 Thornbury 38

AN outstanding first half paved the way for a comprehensive victory over North Petherton which consolidates Thornbury’s second place in the table.

Thornbury’s mobile pack ran their heavier opponents around the field and the incisive backs frequently penetrated the Somerset side’s defence. With more luck and greater accuracy they could have scored more than the six tries they were awarded.

North Petherton kicked off and Thornbury went ahead after eight minutes. Will Sharratt made a fine break directly from a Thornbury scrum, weaved through three tacklers and fed Alfie Richardson who was too fast for his opponent and scored a glorious try. Sharratt converted for 7-0.

North Petherton reduced the deficit with a penalty then as the first quarter drew to a close Thornbury scored again. Thorns took a scrum against the head and Sharratt broke clear, fed Liam Pemberton who put Dan Kerr in for an unconverted try by the corner flag. Thorns were 12-3 ahead.

Thornbury were totally in control. Gareth Morgan was denied a try after the referee blew early to penalise the home side for foul play. But Thorns were not to be denied. North Petherton were turned over and Dai Matthews broke clear then threw a long pass to Rich Bennett who ran in for another long-distance try. Sharratt converted and Thorns were 19-3 up on the half hour. The try bonus was secured by half-time. Sam Evans drove on, used great strength to shrug off two heavy tackles then fed Luke Workman a metre from the line and the prop dived over. Sharratt converted and Thornbury led 26-3 at the break.

North Petherton kicked an early second half penalty then Thornbury scored their fifth try. From another turnover Kerr executed a scissors move with Rob Higgitt for Thornbury’s Head Coach to run in unopposed alongside the posts. Bob Adams converted for a 33-6 lead.

Midway through the second-half, a cross-kick was knocked on, a heavy tackle denied Thorns another try, a try from a driving lineout was ruled out due to accidental offside, Higgitt was called back when clear for a knock on, then Morgan was called back when clear for a forward pass. As the match drew to a close, the industrious Morgan was awarded a try. Adams caught a poor clearing kick and fed the supporting Morgan who dived over in the corner. The conversion was narrowly wide. The game ended a few seconds later with Thornbury celebrating a comprehensive 38-6 win.

The Thornbury pack were excellent in the tight and loose, the backs ran hard and fast and tackled everything North Petherton threw at them. Every player played well with Will Sharratt outstanding in the first half. Alfie Richardson looked dangerous, the front row dominated their opposition and the back row turned over ball all afternoon. Sam Evans, Dan Kerr and Gareth Morgan also had fine games, with the latter two scoring their first tries for the first XV.

Thorns have a difficult game on Saturday at home to Chard. Kick-off is 2.15pm