Tribute South West One West

North Petherton 58 Thornbury 26

SERIOUSLY depleted by injuries and unavailability’s Thornbury suffered an embarrassing defeat to a North Petherton side that capitalised on Thorns’ errors and poor tackling.

Thornbury never recovered from conceding three tries in five minutes during the first half but fought back to earn a bonus point with a late try.

Thornbury began well but lost an early lineout allowing the home pack to surge upfield for an early converted try.

The score was tied three minutes later. Thorns secured a turnover in midfield and quick passing from Sam Evans and George Sheldon put Luke Workman into space.

He kicked behind the defence and flipped the ball inside to the injured Dai Matthews who limped in to score the try. Harry Glew converted.

Thornbury attacked from the restart and after Tom Williams had made good ground Sheldon put Workman clear but he was tackled into touch by the flag.

However he wasn’t to be denied and when Pethy made a hash of their lineout he pounced on the loose ball for the try. The conversion missed but Thorns were 12-7 up.

That signalled the end of Thornbury’s competitive input to the game. The powerful carrying of the North Petherton forwards took them over the gain line time and time again as Thornbury seemed incapable of making first-up tackles or securing turnovers.

As the match entered the second quarter a quickly-taken penalty put the wing in for the equalising try.

Thornbury restarted but the home forwards charged upfield and scored a third try. Then Thorns were caught ball-watching and another attack ended in a prop scoring the bonus point try.

Thornbury ignored a penalty in front of the posts and were shoved into touch as they went for a driving lineout. Instead North Petherton went back upfield and scored a fifth try to lead 29-12 at the break.

North Petherton kicked an early penalty then poor defence let them run back a drop-out and score.

A failed lineout allowed Pethy another try a few minutes later then a loose pass was snaffled by another home prop who ran in for a simple try and a 53-12 lead.

At last Thornbury showed what they could do. James Donohue ran back a hurried clearing kick and after some good close passing Rob Higgitt took the ball on an arcing run around the defence for a fine try. Glew converted.

Thorns were now playing better with Williams and Higgitt enjoying good runs but clumsy play allowed a turnover and another home try.

As the match went into stoppage time Thorns still had the target of a try bonus point. Another fine run by Higgitt took play to the line. Awarded a penalty Glew took it quickly and Adam Hodgkins piled over for the bonus point try. Glew added the extras and the final whistle blew to put Thorns out of their misery.

Thornbury were not good enough. The handling was poor, the tackling frequently ineffective, yet there were good contributions from several players with Rob Higgitt the outstanding individual. But this was not an afternoon to forget, this was an afternoon to remember and learn lessons from.

Thornbury are home to Okehampton on Saturday, with the kick off time at 3pm.

Thornbury scorers: - tries – Dai Matthews, Luke Workman, Rob Higgitt, Adam Hodgkins; conversions – Harry Glew (3)