By Dave Fox

Tribute South West One West

Bridgwater and Albion 19 Thornbury 26

THORNBURY secured their first Tribute South West One West league game of the season and put the Bridgwater bogey to bed.

They won at College Way for the first time after five successive defeats. Rich Bennett scored tries in each half as Thornbury secured a maximum points haul after surviving a late scare to hold out for a deserved win.

Bridgwater kicked off and the early minutes were scrappy as both sides made countless mistakes.

Then the game settled down and Bridgwater took the lead in the ninth minute with an unconverted try from a driving lineout.

The Thornbury side, which included four teenagers, began to get more into the game. Thornbury went ahead on sixteen minutes when Thorns ran back a poorly-directed clearing kick.

Jake Goodridge and Bob Adams combined to create space for Rich Bennett out wide and he raced in for a fine try. Adams converted for a 7-5 lead.

The lead was extended on the half-hour when Thorns secured a turnover on the Bridgwater ‘22’ and after Bennett and Harry Tarling ran hard to create space Harry Glew sprinted over in the corner. The try went unconverted but Thornbury led 12-5 at the break.

Rob Higgitt was held up over the line early in the second half but Thornbury were not to be denied.

Glew ran back a clearing kick and prop Luke Panting shrugged off several tacklers to score a fine try. Adams added the extras for a 19-5 lead.

Six minutes later the Thornbury forwards drove from the lineout and tied up the defence, then after several phases Alfie Richardson went over by the corner flag but he had put a foot in touch and the try was disallowed.

But Thorns kept the pressure on and good passing between the forwards and backs created space down the left.

Richardson drew his man and Bennett raced in for the bonus point try. Adams’s excellent conversion put Thorns 26-5 ahead as the game went into the final quarter.

Thornbury seemed to visibly turn down the burners and this allowed Bridgwater back into the match. Their forwards monopolised possession and scored two late tries. Both were converted, the second of which earned Bridgwater a losing bonus point. Thornbury had to defend for their lives but held out for a great win.

This was a deserved win which will give Thorns great confidence. The team showed huge commitment and youngsters Henry Low and Jake Goodridge will have enjoyed their first starts.

There were good carries from James Wood and Jack Hussey whilst Alfie Richardson looked dangerous whenever he had the ball in space.

Harry Tarling tackled well and Liam Pemberton had his best game for Thornbury in some time. Bob Adams kicked superbly and Rich Bennett took his tries well.

Thornbury are home to Matson on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Thornbury scorers: tries – Rich Bennett (2), Harry Glew, Luke Panting; conversions – Bob Adams (3)