Rugby: Thornbury squander scoring opportunities in defeat at leaders (From Gazette Series)

South West One West: Brixham 42 Thornbury 20

10:37am Tuesday 20th December 2011 in Thornbury Sport

BATTLING Thornbury gave league leaders Brixham a bloody nose before succumbing to their power in the second half of an open game in South Devon. It was a much-improved performance against the odds by Thorns, but they squandered try-scoring opportunities in the latter stages and returned home empty-handed.

From the first contact Rob Higgitt threaded a kick behind the Brixham defence for Dan Hussey to dive on and score the opening try after 41 seconds. Tim Stephens was unable to convert.

Brixham hit back with an equalising try five minutes later and went ahead shortly afterwards when they drove over for an unconverted try. A Stephens penalty attempt rebounded off the post but seconds later Thorns went ahead again. Craig Beyer fielded a clearing kick in midfield and beat two men on a counter-attack. Hussey made good ground before Jak Evans burst through and passed inside to Higgitt, who touched down close to the posts. Stephens converted and Thorns looked likely to go further ahead within minutes of the restart when Evans and skipper George Maggs put Ollie Fleming away on a run up to the Brixham 22 where Stephens eased Thornbury 15-10 ahead with a penalty.

As the match went into half-time stoppage time the home side exploited a gap in the defence to score a try which was converted to put them 17-15 ahead at the break.

Three minutes after the resumption of the game, Brixham were fortunate to score another try when the referee missed a knock-on. The conversion put them two scores ahead. But Thorns refused to give in and four minutes later counter attacked from their 22. Fleming raced up-field before passing inside to Higgitt, who outpaced the cover and scored a glorious try out wide. The conversion missed but, trailing 24-20, Thornbury were still in the game.

Brixham kicked a penalty and then hit a purple patch in which they played some irresistible rugby. They kicked a further penalty and their forwards scored two tries as Thorns fell off some tackles.

Thornbury tightened up and took control. Tom Guzman was driven over the line but was held up and Thorns had three golden opportunities to score in the last five minutes but their handling let them down and they ended tantalisingly close to a bonus point at the end of the match.

Injuries continue to plague Thornbury and Sean Underwood started in the first team for the first time in many years and had a fine game. Thornbury scorers: tries - Rob Higgitt (2), Dan Hussey; conversion - Tim Stephens; penalty - Tim Stephens.

l Thornbury under-17s came off second best to a determined Frampton Cotterell U17s in the final of the Bristol Combination Cup at Cleve RFC. Frampton won 20-10. The Thornbury points came from a Luke Panting try, converted by Jack Fare, who also kicked a penalty.

l Thornbury will be hosting a charity rugby game at their ground in Rockhampton this Christmas. Thornbury’s Veterans side, the Vandals, with a few guest players, take on the PROPS Barbarians on Tuesday, December 27, 12.30pm, with proceeds going to children and young adults with learning disabilities. The annual fixture has become an entertaining event in the club’s calendar and very popular with spectators, raising a significant amount of money for this deserving charity.