Tribute South West One West

Thornbury 12 Matson 27

THORNBURY'S hopes to reach a second successive play-off were severely dented after they lost to a determined and skilful Matson side.

Dispirited Thorns were never able to match the passion, commitment and control of the Gloucester club which had won at Newent and Okehampton in recent weeks.

Thornbury kicked off downhill and after Matson missed an early penalty they took play to the Matson ‘22’ but Thorns didn’t play with the intensity of the visitors and were turned over almost at will and the ball cleared.

Then miscommunication in midfield close to the Matson posts saw the ball go loose and a counter-attack moved swiftly to the Thornbury ‘22’. Matson continued to attack until a missed tackle let the inside centre in at the corner for a converted try and a 7-0 lead.

Matson extended their lead with a penalty shortly afterwards then their outside centre scored.

The try was converted and Matson had scored seventeen unanswered points in eight minutes and Thorns were not at the races.

A further penalty shortly before half time saw Matson 20-0 ahead at the break. Thornbury were looking down the barrel at an embarrassingly-large defeat.

Things were much the same after the break as Thornbury seemed incapable of stringing passes together, and kicked away what limited possession they had, and kicked badly.

Midway through the half Matson scored again when the Thornbury defence failed to deal with a high ball and the left wing gathered the loose ball and scored. The conversion extended the lead to 27-0.

However, the longer the game progressed the better Thornbury played. The lineout, at last, began to function and after Thornbury had attacked in the Matson ‘22’ they were awarded a five metre scrum from which Jack Hussey crashed over for the try. Harry Glew converted.

Thornbury launched a few further attacks, but the play was uninspiring, lethargic and easily defended. With a few minutes remaining Hussey dived over for his second try from a five-metre scrum, but the conversion went wide. The scores were too little too late.

Thorns managed to prevent Matson from getting a try bonus point but there were few positives from the game.

This was an individual and collective off-day for Thornbury who never got going, never looked like getting going and were well-beaten by a side that was more effective and efficient in every facet of the game.

The energy and intensity of the players was not to standard and that was exploited by Matson.

The kicking game was woeful, whilst Matson’s was excellent. This was a horrible game, one to forget.

Jack Hussey and Gareth Morgan caught the eye as having decent games, and it was fitting that the Ronnies of Thornbury ‘Man of the Match award’, chosen by sponsors D & L Workman Bricklayers, went to Jack Hussey.

This Saturday, Thornbury play the re-arranged match at Midsomer Norton. Kick-off is scheduled for 2:15pm.

Thornbury scorers: tries – Hussey (2); conversion – Glew