THORNBURY delivered a mixed performance as they succumbed to two late tries against Teignmouth.

Thorns played some open rugby but a lack of concentration and physicality at the breakdown played into the Devon club’s hands, and despite scoring two fine tries, Thornbury slipped to their fifth successive league defeat.

Teignmouth went ahead with an early penalty but Thornbury hit back with a fine try. Alfie Richardson made good ground down the left wing when the ball was quickly recycled and moved into midfield. Sam Poustie drew his man and passed wide to Liam Pemberton twenty metres out, who raced in for the try. But the conversion sailed wide.

Teignmouth regained the lead when their centre ran through two weak tackles direct from a scrum to score a converted try.

Within a few minutes, Louis Ogilvie led the chase for the ball after it was kicked into the Teignmouth ‘22’. Tom Luke supported but as the ball was moved into midfield inaccuracies let Teignmouth off the hook and they cleared.

Thornbury were then awarded two kickable penalties but went for driving lineouts rather than the points. Although Tom Williams drove hard for the line, Thorns were unable to score.

It was then Thornbury’s turn to defend. Harry Glew made a try saving tackle but Teignmouth were not to be denied and scored a converted pushover try on the stroke of half time. Teignmouth led 17-5 at the break.

The second half began as the first with a Teignmouth penalty that extended their lead to 20-5.

Midway through the second half Thornbury got back into the game with an excellent try. Williams led a forward drive up to half way. Glew made a break and offloaded to Harry Tarling who took the ball off his ankles. He passed to Poustie who passed back to Tarling who fed Richardson to score. Jake Wood converted to reduce the deficit to 20-12.

Teignmouth’s accurate kicking pressurised Thorns., with the away side persisting in trying to run out of defence rather than kicking the ball downfield and eventually relinquished possession for Teignmouth to score another converted try.

With time running out Pemberton broke through and offloaded to Chris Moseley. He charged for the line but was hauled down short. With the match in stoppage time, Teignmouth counter attacked and scored the fourth try. The conversion was the last action of the game.

Results elsewhere meant that Thornbury will play in the same division next season. They host Keynsham on Saturday at 3pm

Meanwhile, Thornbury Third XV defeated Cotham Park Seconds 91-31 and a Thornbury Development XV beat a combined Old Bristolians / Cotham Park XV 52-26 at BGS.