Tribute South West One West

Thornbury 25 Drybrook 37

DEPLETED Thornbury battled Tribute South West One West high-flying Drybrook all the way in a fine game of rugby played on the chilliest of afternoons.

Sam Poustie added a brace of tries to his extensive list of scores as Thornbury out-scored Drybrook in a fine second half performance.

This re-arranged game occurred on a weekend where the already injury-ravished squad were depleted further with players away on pre-planned breaks. The side saw four development squad players in the pack, including James Jackson making his debut at hooker. A vicious cross-wind blew flurries of snow across the pitch on a bitter afternoon. Thornbury were under pressure from the start but held out and worked upfield for Jake Wood to put Thorns ahead with a ninth minute penalty.

Drybrook attacked from the restart. They equalised with a penalty then after persistent pressure scored two unconverted tries to open up a 13-3 lead. Thornbury couldn’t get their hands on the ball.

Their outside half controlled the game with a selection of passing and kicking from the top drawer. One kick took play from the Drybrook line to the Thornbury line where the visitors drove a prop over for another try.

Trailing 18-3, Thorns roared back into the Drybrook ‘22’ and Wood kicked a penalty to double Thornbury’s score. But after further pressure the bonus point try was scored for Drybrook to lead 25-6 at the break.

Thornbury started the second half on top but couldn’t score. Instead it was Drybrook who scored a fifth try. The 30-6 lead looked uncomfortable for Thorns.

Then Thornbury took a lineout in the Drybrook ‘22’. The lightweight pack needed help and several backs joined in to help drive over the line. Outside half Sam Poustie came up with the ball. Wood converted with a remarkable kick into the cross wind from close to the touchline. Thorns now trailed 30-13.

As the match entered the final quarter Drybrook scored a converted try. Shortly afterwards, Thorns scored the try of the match when Tom Luke threw out a fast and accurate pass that missed out two players and was taken by Poustie at top speed. He showed pace and determination to score. The conversion missed by a few inches.

Then, in last play, Drybrook attacked in midfield. Luke Panting intercepted a pass and the ball was moved quickly for Rich Bennett to race clear to score between the posts. Wood’s conversion brought up the final whistle and Drybrook had won 37-25.

Although Thornbury came away from the game with little to show for their efforts the players had put up a terrific display of committed rugby. They were tenacious and the first-up tackling was a great improvement on the previous match.

The lineout went well and the scrum was generally solid. The physicality of Drybrook at the breakdown saw a few turnovers lost but Thornbury secured several of their own. The backs had little quality ball to play with but ran with purpose when the opportunity presented itself. The match sponsors awarded the Man of the Match to Louis Osborne who had a fine game in defence.

Drybrook have a team of good players that work well together but were frequently undisciplined and guilty of off-the-ball incidents that caused three Thornbury players to be replaced. Thornbury face top-of-the-table Exeter University on Saturday.