Combination Cup Final

Thornbury U16 50 Walcot OBs U16 7

THORNBURY’S under-16s were celebrating a cup victory this week after they comprehensively demolished Walcot Old Boys to win the Combination Cup final at Clifton RFC.

The Broncos ignored a strong wind and constant drizzle to put on a remarkable demonstration of open attacking rugby and committed defence to which the Bath club had no answer.

Playing into the elements, Thorns went ahead with an 11th-minute try from Jack Anderson, then Thornbury’s tall wing scored a second three minutes later and Thorns were 10-0 up.

When Harry Tarling scored Thornbury’s third try, converted by Red Lloyd, Thornbury had a 17-0 lead and Walcot were chasing shadows. That remained the score at half-time and during the interval spectators speculated as to what the team would do with the wind at their backs.

The Broncos counter-attacked from loose play in their half and scored two scintillating tries early in the second half.

Tarling scored his second try and Anderson completed a hat-trick, both converted by Jacob Wood to put the game beyond Walcot. It was then time for Thornbury to turn on the style with the game won.

Charlie Powell then scored the most memorable of touchdowns. Fielding a Walcot kick close to the touchline deep in his 22, he ran diagonally across field, swerved inside and outside several tackles then had the pace to race clear and score in the corner diagonally opposite that from where he began his run. A truly magnificent try for Thornbury to lead 36-0.

Two minutes later Louis Ogilvie showed good balance and determination to break out of two tackles and stay infield close to the touchline and out-paced the cover for another try.

Wood converted.

Walcot hit back with a close-range consolation try from their forwards but Thornbury had the last say as Henry Hayett finished off another fine attack for the eighth try.

Jacob Wood’s conversion brought up the half-century in the last play.

All eight tries were of the highest order. Walcot could not cope with the intensity of the Thornbury tackles or the marauding Jake Goodridge who won everything on the floor.

But it was the speed and accuracy of the passing under pressure in appalling conditions that was the biggest difference. Thornbury delivered a magnificent team performance. Skipper Kieran Wilson was presented the cup by Bristol Rugby lock Joe Joyce to great celebration from the squad and a large crowd of Thornbury supporters.