Tribute South West One West

Thornbury 46 North Petherton 7

THORNBURY cast aside the woes from defeat at Cullompton to cut loose and run-in eight tries in a spectacular demolition of North Petherton.

Sam Poustie scored a hat-trick of tries as Thornbury played with skill, pace and focus that the visitors were unable to live with in the second half.

Thorns had the perfect start. From a scrum Rich Bennett ran hard then the ball was quickly moved to Poustie who scored out wide. Ninety seconds of the match had elapsed.

The conversion missed but Thorns immediate looked to score again. Good defence and a couple of poor passes prevented half chances being converted. On ten minutes Jake Wood created space for Harry Tarling to beat the cover and score in the corner. Thorns led 10-0.

Although Thornbury dominated the rest of the half they were unable to add to their lead. Two good chances were lost as Thorns went off the boil and led 10-0 at half time. It should have been more.

Thorns began the second half as they had the first. A driving lineout was pulled down deliberately but Poustie cross-kicked for Rob Higgitt to score in the corner. Two minutes had elapsed and the lead was extended to 15-0.

North Petherton then enjoyed their best period of the game and scored a converted try to reduce arrears to 15-7.

The fourth Thornbury try came three minutes later when Thorns drove Jack Hussey over from a driving lineout and to earn the try bonus point.

Then Pethy attacked on half way and a well-telegraphed pass was intercepted by Poustie who sprinted in for the try. Harry Glew added the extras for 27-7 and the game was surely won.

Thorns continued to dominate and pressurised the visitors. A sliced clearing kick veered towards the touchline where Poustie caught the ball and scored his hat-trick try. Thorns led 34-7.

But Thorns weren’t finished. James Wood drove hard into midfield on the Pethy ‘22’. The ball was quickly recycled and good passing from Jake Wood and Tarling put Higgitt in at the corner. The conversion missed but Thorns attacked from the restart and Liam Pemberton made a good run out of defence. The ball was kept alive and play moved into the visitors’ half. Pemberton was again involved before a long pass from Higgitt found Louis Osborne in space and he scored in the corner. Glew converted for 46-7.

The performance was as comprehensive as the scoreline would suggest yet North Petherton made Thornbury work hard for every point. The game was refereed expertly by Willem Lombard, a South African exchange referee from Johannesburg Every Thornbury player played well. The forwards were at their most effective and the backs ran with confidence. In a team of so many outstanding performers many players deserve a mention but the Ronnie’s of Thornbury Man of the Match award went to Louis Osborne for a terrific display in defence and attack.

Thornbury will need to repeat this performance when they travel to second-placed Drybrook next Saturday, kick off 2:30.

Thornbury Scorers: tries –Poustie (3), Higgitt (2), Tarling, Hussey, Osborne; conversions –Glew (3)