Rugby: Charity is real winner in Thornbury thriller (From Gazette Series)

Thornbury Vandals 55 PROPS Barbarians 57

9:00am Friday 6th January 2012 in Thornbury Sport

EIGHTEEN tries were served up in a veritable feast of Christmas rugby at Rockhampton as the annual charity game between Thornbury’s veteran’s side and the PROPS Barbarians raised over £700 for children and young adults with physical and learning disabilities, writes Dave Fox.

Thornbury Vandals conceded an early try before Jon Day, a mere youngster in his 30s, crossed for Thorns; Jon Pullin’s conversion putting them ahead.

The lead only lasted a few minutes as the Barbarians crossed for two quick tries to open up a 19-7 lead.

The Vandals’ pack started with three former club captains in Tet Ogilvie, George Fensome and Jon Day in its ranks, and the cumulative age of the front row featuring Charlie Turner (senior), Nobby Pearce and Steve Coghlan amounted to over 170. Adding in the second row of Tet Ogilvie and Martyn Bishop, the Vandals front five was of true veteran status.

Rich Willson crashed over for a try for the Vandals and when Jon Pullin scored and converted his own try the scores were tied on 19-19. Once again the Barbarians crossed for two quickly converted tries, only for Joe Jackson to touch down and Liam Pemberton, who had replaced Quent Jackson at scrum half, to dart over for a try. Neither of the Vandals’ tries were converted and with the Barbarians leading 33-29 the game was anybody’s. The visitors then brought on former Bristol, Bath and Scotland prop Dave Hilton and they scored two further tries to see the score 47-29 at half-time.

Shortly after the restart Joe Jackson scored his second try of the match, converted by Mavis Richardson. Richardson then converted a try from Quent Jackson, who had returned to the fray, to bring the Vandals back within a try at 47-43. A fourth former captain, Menace Pearce, took to the field as both sides rotated their substitutes throughout the game. When Jack Webber scored midway through the half the Vandals took the lead again. First team wing Dan Hussey, playing at centre, scored a further try, which Jon Pullin converted, to extend the Vandals’ lead to 55-47.

The Barbarians hit back in the dying minutes of the game with a try from each of their centres to give them victory. Food was kindly provided by Mark Sorrell of The Anchor Inn, Oldbury-on-Severn, and the PROPS were delighted that a collection, raffle and generosity of the supporters raised a record sum for the charity in this, their fourth visit to Thornbury.

* Thornbury return to league action this Saturday with all three senior sides playing at home.

The firsts play Oldfield Old Boys with hopes that they will achieve the double following their 36-32 win over the Bath club last September. The seconds play United Bristol Hospitals and the thirds, who have won their previous nine games, play the last side to beat them, Old Bristolians. * Thornbury have drawn Clifton at home in the Semi-Final of the Bristol Combination Cup. The date is yet to be agreed but is likely to be in early February.