Tribute South West One West

Thornbury 25 Drybrook 16

THORNBURY number eight Jack Hussey scored a hat-trick of tries as Thorns’ outstanding forwards bludgeoned their way to a maximum points win.

The pack dominated the scrum and executed rolling mauls with such aplomb that the sponsors decided to award man of the match to the entire forward unit.

Thornbury made a hash of the kick-off but destroyed the ensuing Drybrook scrum.

It was an indication of things to come. Thorns went ahead after five minutes when a driving lineout rumbled to the Drybrook line and Hussey burst out to score the first try. The conversion went wide.

Drybrook’s good defence and fine kicking game frustrated Thornbury and after Thorns were penalised at a ruck Drybrook reduced the deficit with a penalty.

Drybrook then enjoyed their best period of the game and two further penalties opened up a 9-5 lead.

The Thornbury scrum was causing Drybrook all sorts of problems, and from a scrum on the home ten-metre line the forwards and backs combined to take play to the Drybrook line where a handling error denied what looked an irresistible try. In stoppage time stand-in outside half Will Sharratt kicked a penalty to reduce Drybrook’s half-time lead to 9-8.

The first half had been frustrating and the absence of a recognised kicker a concern, but Thornbury played better after the break. After five minutes Thorns regained the lead they were never to lose.

The pack drove Drybrook back at a scrum on the visitors’ ‘22’ before Sharratt took the ball and danced through the visitors’ defence to score an outstanding try between the posts. He converted for 15-9.

Thorns’ tails were up and play surged into Drybrook territory from the restart.

They were awarded a penalty and opted for a lineout which powered to the Drybrook line where Hussey crashed over for his second try. It went unconverted but Thorns were 20-9 up.

As the third quarter drew to an end the unpredictable bounce of the rugby ball evaded the grasp of Henry Conchie. But Thornbury were not to be denied.

As they continued to pile on pressure another driving lineout was expertly executed with Hussey crashing over in the corner. The conversion missed but the try bonus point was in the bag. At 25-9 it seemed that the match was secure too.

Drybrook showed great determination late on and secured a consolation try. But although Thorns had made hard work of things they were well-worth their 25-16 win.

A maximum-point win had been the order of the day and the team delivered.

The forwards were outstanding, particularly at the scrum, whilst the lineout went well for most of the afternoon and there were good carries.

Jack Hussey had his best game of the season and took his three tries well.

The backs lacked the fluidity which would come if they were able to select a settled backline, although there was great ambition and some good individual performances.

Next Saturday Thorns travel to bottom club Midsomer Norton where complacency will need to be avoided.

Thornbury scorers: tries Hussey (3), Sharratt; conversion Sharratt; penalty Sharratt.