Tribute South West One West

Drybrook 32 Thornbury 13

THORNBURY suffered their first reverse of the league season failing to capitalise on a good start and eventually slipping to a dispiriting defeat.

Drybrook played with greater passion, control and ball-retention and thoroughly deserved their first win of the season.

Thorns kicked off and attacked with pace from the outset. They played expansive rugby but handling errors began to increase and Drybrook were continually let off the hook. However, it was the most dynamic rugby Thorns had played all season.

Luke Workman charged for the line but was held up a few centimetres short before Tom Luke opened the scoring with a 12th minute penalty.

Drybrook then went ahead when the Thornbury defence kindly ushered their hooker through and he raced thirty metres unopposed for an unconverted try.

Thornbury attacked from the restart and a well-controlled driving lineout powered George Sheldon over the line for a try. Luke converted and Thorns were 10-5 up.

The game went into the second quarter and Thorns continued to pile on the pressure. Great continuity and pace created a chance for Alfie Richardson but as he went over the referee called him back for a forward pass.

From that moment onwards, the game swung dramatically towards Drybrook. Until that point, they had been on the back foot and hanging on, but Thornbury errors increased, kicks were not chased and tackles were missed as Drybrook ran hard at Thorns. Two Drybrook penalties put the home side 11-10 ahead at half time.

Drybrook started the second half and immediately extended their lead when dreadful tackling allowed them a soft try. The conversion extended the lead to 18-10.

Thornbury had the edge in the scrum whilst the lineout blew hot and cold, but ball from set-piece was frequently kicked away or knocked on. Thornbury were playing into Drybrook’s hands.

With five minutes remaining, Luke kicked a penalty to bring Thorns within bonus-point range but Drybrook scored two converted tries in the final two minutes of the game to wrap up the contest.

Every season, Thornbury have a really bad performance, and it is hoped that this game was the ration for 2016/17. Drybrook, always a determined side, were greatly helped by Thorns’ inaccuracies and inability to wrestle back the control of the game. Thorns’ defence was poor at times and all four of Drybrook’s tries were as a result of defensive lapses.

Thornbury showed little passion whilst their opponents were committed and focused. Thornbury made tactical errors and handling errors and possessed a complete inability to force turnovers.