Thornbury 38 Midsomer Norton 0

TOM Luke scored 23 points as Thornbury secured a maximum points win over league newcomers Midsomer Norton. Yet inaccuracies meant Thornbury could, maybe should, have doubled that total. However the defence was greatly improved and comfortably kept their line intact.

Thornbury kicked off uphill and immediately began to pile on pressure. They played fast and open with dynamism and good continuity. Thorns created early opportunities but handling errors under pressure denied Thornbury two early tries. Alfie Richardson was given plenty of possession and he made several dangerous runs. It seemed just a matter of time before Thornbury scored.

As the first quarter came to an end Thorns attacked and Midsomer Norton infringed in midfield and Tom Luke’s penalty opened a 3-0 lead. Midsomer Norton restarted and after a brief excursion to the Thornbury ‘22’ normal service was resumed as the play swept back to deep in the visitors half. Then a multi-phase move which involved almost every home player culminated in Luke slipping out of one tackle and muscling himself over for the first try. He converted for a 10-0 lead.

As half-time approached Thornbury pressed to get the second try. Henry Conchie came in at a great angle, swerved around the last defender and dived over for a fine try. Luke converted and Thorns led 17-0 at the break.

Thornbury extended their lead 90 seconds into the second half. Thorns drove from a lineout and Sam Evans burst through two tacklers before the ball was moved across the three-quarter line for Luke to score in the corner. He converted his try.

Thorns looked to cut loose. Richardson had a try disallowed and a combination of good defence and handling errors denied Thornbury the try bonus point until a patient build-up and good passing put Rob Higgitt through and he crashed over close to the posts for the all-important try, which Luke converted.

Now relaxed, Thorns attacked freely and after George Maggs had driven George Sheldon burst through and was held up inches short, but he made the ball available and the supporting Luke Workman dived over for the try. Luke added the extras to take the score to 38-0.

Thorns attacked again but another Midsomer Norton player was injured and the referee sensibly blew-up for full time 90 seconds early.

This was a vastly-improved performance from Thornbury. The dynamism and intensity missing at Drybrook had returned as the players rightly felt they had a point to prove. There were impressive performances from several players with the returning Sam Evans and Louis Osborne having eye-catching games. Henry Conchie was outstanding and the overall play of Tom Luke was superb. However, the sponsors from Dragon Alfa Cement deservedly made Gareth Morgan the Ronnie’s of Thornbury Man of the Match for a complete performance in the pack.

Next Saturday Thorns have a difficult game at Matson. The game kicks off at 3:00.

Thornbury scorers: tries –Luke (2), Conchie, Higgitt, Workman; conversions –Luke (5); penalty –Luke.