Yate 5 Thornbury 3rds 12

THONRBURY'S evergreen Jon Day scored all the points for Thornbury Thirds as Thorns helped celebrate the first season of Yate Rugby Club.

In what was only the eighth game played by the fledgling Yate RFC

Thornbury travelled to the Yate Outdoor Sports Complex for the first game between the clubs.

Thornbury are proud to have proposed Yate for affiliation to the Gloucestershire RFU, a process which is underway and will hopefully be ratified by the GRFU later this month.

Yate’s facilities at the complex were excellent with a well-drained pitch, attractive clubhouse and comfortable bar.

The game kicked off in light drizzle but Thornbury ignored the weather and put the ball through the hands. After early domination in the Yate ‘22’ Jon Day ploughed through a gap in the Yate defence for an unconverted try.

The game became even with the Yate backs looking lively whilst the Thornbury scrum was very impressive and functioned with a power Yate struggled to deal with.

Despite some useful runs from Jack Civill-Williams Thornbury were unable to break down the Yate defence. Then as the half drew to a close a good attack by Yate nearly resulted in a try. First of all a foot in touch denied Yate from a cross kick, then a forward lost the ball over the line. Thornbury led 5-0 at the interval.

The second half was similar to the first with Thornbury dominating territory and possession but not able to score. Dan Green and Ben Read ran hard and with pace and were unlucky not to add to the score. Midway through the second half Thornbury drove the Yate scrum off their ball in front of their posts and Jon Day picked up and dived over for the second try. He converted his try for a 12-0 lead.

Yate centre Kieran Webb scored a consolation try late on showing good pace to touchdown after a kick and chase.

There was no further score and Thornbury deservedly won an entertaining, if error-strewn game.

Scorers: Thornbury: tries – Jon Day (2); conversion – Jon Day Yate: try – Kieran Webb