Tribute South West One West

Kingsbridge 25 Thornbury 24

THORNBURY failed to close out a game they had seemingly won and lost to a long-range injury time penalty in an exciting game in the Devon sunshine.

With Thorns two points ahead, they chose to play rugby as if to win the match rather than control the last few minutes and close out the game.

However, they left Kingsbridge with two points and completed their league campaign in sixth place.

Kingsbridge kicked off but Thornbury attacked from the start and Rich Bennett made a fine break which Tom Luke took on but was hauled down a metre short.

Kingsbridge cleared and shortly afterwards scored a try from a driving line-out.

The scores were tied when a clearing kick was run back by Jake Wood and Rich Bennett for Luke Workman to score by the corner flag.

Tom Luke’s conversion hit the post.

The Kingsbridge pack drove over for a converted try then Tom Luke latched on a pop pass and drove through to score a try he converted for 12-12.

As the half came to an end, Kingsbridge scored their third try and a 17-12 half time lead.

Thornbury kicked off the second half and put early pressure on Kingsbridge.

They launched attack after attack. Jake Wood was close, then Adam Hodgkins raced down the touchline but the cover caught him by the corner flag and his inside pass was knocked-on on the line.

There were too many mistakes.

Thorns equalised when Mike Beswick made a half break, Bennett exploited the space and passed wide to Jake Wood who scored his first try for the first XV. The conversion missed but with the score 17-17 the game was anybody’s with the last quarter to come. With the match drawing to a close, Thorns won a line-out and accurate passing brought in Rob Higgitt. He fed Harry Tarling out wide; who did well to shrug off a tackle and score the bonus point try. Luke converted and Thornbury were ahead for the first time at 24-17.

But Kingsbridge weren’t finished and scored another try from a driving lineout reducing arrears to 24-22 as the game went into injury time.

Thornbury secured possession but instead of running the clock down, the ball was moved into midfield where Thorns conceded a penalty close to half way. With four minutes of injury time over, the home full back slotted over a fine kick to put Kingsbridge ahead. The match ended seconds later.

Thornbury had opportunities to win the game but lacked the accuracy to finish off a number of chances.

However, the outstanding player was Rich Bennett, who was a nuisance to Kingsbridge and had a game to remember with regular line breaks and water-tight defence.

So the season has ended. Although Thorns spent some time in second place they were, ultimately, a mid-table side, and the table doesn’t lie.