THORNBURY returned to second in the table with a nine-try win over Wells, in which James Wood scored a try hat-trick.

Thorns blew away the disappointment of the recent defeat at Newent with an exhilarating display of 15-man rugby.

Thornbury went ahead after five minutes when Bob Adams launched a sweeping counter-attack. Tom Luke chipped behind the defence for Rich Bennett to score the try. The conversion went wide but Thornbury had shown how they were going to approach the game.

Thorns continued to play at pace but some of the accuracy was missing and errors denied Thorns further chances of scoring until Wood scored his first try from a driving lineout. Luke converted for a 12-0 lead.

A Dan Kerr try was disallowed as the referee was unsighted but shortly afterwards Luke dived over for the third try from a scrum on the Wells line.

Trailing 17-0, Wells launched their first meaningful attack but a try-saving tackle from Sam Phelps ended the Thornbury wing’s season with a dislocated shoulder.

The try bonus point was energetically pursued but Thorns made handling errors and the Wells defence held out. The Thornbury scrum was now on top but there was no further score and Thornbury led 17-0 at half-time.

The bonus point try came five minutes into the second half, when Wood scored his second try from a driving lineout. The conversion was wide but Thorns nearly scored again when Luke intercepted and raced the length of the field before being brought down by a fine cover tackle inches short. Thorns were not to be denied and Bennett and Wayne Underwood put Dai Matthews in for the try. Luke converted and at 29-0 the game was effectively over.

Thornbury cut loose. Alfie Richardson and Tom Luke exchanged passes in a sweeping move which ended with Richardson racing in for the sixth try.

The seventh came four minutes later when Richardson made good ground and Matthews scored his second try. Luke converted both for a 43-0 lead.

Wells scored a consolation try before Bennett crossed for a further try. Luke’s conversion brought up the half-century. Then Wood completed his hat-trick from another driving lineout. The conversion was wide but Thorns had won by the unexpected score of 55-7.

Thornbury played at a tempo which was irresistible and had there been greater accuracy there would have been more tries. Rob Higgitt was outstanding and the contribution from wings Bennett, Phelps and Richardson was significant.