Tribute South West One West

Thornbury 34 Chard 20

THORNBURY secured a maximum point win over struggling Chard based on a disciplined and powerful display from the forwards. The Thorns scored five tries from driving lineouts and demonstrated effective forward drills and some dynamic charges to secure a comfortable win.

It means that Thornbury finish 2016 in second place in South West One West.

Light was poor with mist shrouding the trees as Chard kicked off downhill on a sticky pitch.

They kicked an early penalty but Bob Adams equalised two minutes later.

Thornbury were securing plenty of ball but making too many errors. Then a lucky bounce gave Chard the opportunity for a converted try and against the run of play Chard led 10-3.

Bob Adams, Mike Beswick, Mike Gaston and Alfie Richardson were all close to claiming tries but inaccuracies denied them tries.

Thornbury were doing everything but score. Eventually Thorns scored their first try when they won a lineout and drove over the Chard line for Jack Hussey to score. Adams converted to tie the scores. Thornbury continued to attack, but half-time came with the scores tied at 10-10. Thorns had let Chard off the hook.

Five minutes into the second half Thorns took the lead for the first time when Rob Higgitt nipped down the side of a driving lineout for an unconverted try.

Chard lost possession from the restart and Higgitt nearly put Gaston in. But Thorns were not to be denied. They earned a five metre lineout and drove Sam Evans over for the third try. Adams converted for 22-10.

Then Adams launched a counter-attack and bisected two Chard forwards. He passed to Liam Pemberton who fed Dai Matthews who delivered a great pass to Beswick. Tom Williams and Gaston charged to the line and James Wood was driven over but the referee couldn’t see if the ball had been grounded. However it set-up great field position and from a lineout ten metres out Thorns drove over for the bonus point try credited to Williams. The conversion went wide but Thorns were now 27-10 up.

As the game went into the last ten minutes, Thorns seemed to reduce the intensity of their play and Chard came more into the game. Their scrum-half scored from a quick penalty then Thorns hit back with Evans’ second try from a driving lineout. Adams converted.

Chard secured a consolation try in the fifth minute of stoppage time when their wing scored out wide.

The conversion went wide but Thorns were comfortable winners.

It was a good win for Thornbury. The forwards were on top throughout but they can reflect that they should have scored several more tries.

There were many excellent performances. Adams had a fine game and Mike Beswick enjoyed his best game in a Thornbury shirt. Gareth Morgan and James Wood were outstanding but the stand-out player was Sam Evans who carried well, scored two tries and won the “Ronnies of Thornbury Man of the Match” award.

Thornbury play Clevedon next on January 7.