Pentyrch II 34-17 Thornbury II

A THORNBURY side with a cross section of players from teenagers to veterans contributed to an entertaining friendly in north Cardiff.

The sratchiest of scratch sides took on Pentyrch Second XV.

With several players donning their boots for the first time in years and mixing with colts, first and second XV regulars Thornbury undertook missionary work in the Welsh capital.

Eyes were rubbed as Quent Jackson and Mavis carried their kit into the changing rooms, and later George Fensome arrived with boots ‘just in case’.

While Quent initially ran the line and George observed, Mavis started at ten.

But Pentyrch began the better and their No8 crashed over for an early converted try.

Alfie Richardson enjoyed a couple of early runs as Thornbury gradually got into the game but both sides regularly dropped the ball or delivered forward passes.

Midway through the first half Thornbury progressed into Pentyrch territory and after several phases on the home line the ball was moved to Ben Fowkes who scored out wide.

Mavis’s conversion missed and he was immediately substituted by Joe Jackson.

Close to half time Pentyrch scored two tries in quick succession to lead 19-5 at the break.

Early in the second half Harry Tarling broke clear and Joe Jackson crashed through a tackle to score in the corner but the try was disallowed. Instead the speedy Pentyrch right wing chased a kick behind the Thornbury defence to score his second try, then he added his third two minutes later to open up a 29-5 lead.

Thornbury were becoming more cohesive and Henry Low and Jon Day exchanged passes to blast through the home defence.

Mike Sander took it on but the move ended close to the Pentyrch line when the ball went to ground. It was not going to be Thornbury’s day.

Mavis came back on for Joe Jackson late in the match and George Fensome replaced Jack Summerfield, then with ten minutes remaining Pentyrch scored their sixth try.

Thornbury attacked from the restart and as the ball was recycled close to the Pentyrch line Mavis flipped the ball between his legs and Jack Hussey scored close to the posts. He converted his own try.

Then Thornbury attacked from the restart again and Jak Evans charged through a gap, shrugged off a tackle and scored Thornbury’s third try.

The conversion missed and the referee blew for the end of the match with Pentyrch 34-17 ahead.

It had been an entertaining game played in great spirit. With no pressure on the players the enjoyment was great to see.

With Mavis and Alfie Richardson, plus Quent with James and Joe Jackson the family connections were strong.

Thornbury scorers: tries – Ben Fowkes, Jack Hussey, Jak Evans; conversion – Jack Hussey.