Rugby: Errors prove costly in Thornbury defeat (From Gazette Series)

South West One West: Thornbury 19 Camborne 29

10:33am Thursday 26th January 2012 in Thornbury Sport

THORNBURY failed to build upon a good start and allowed third-placed Camborne to go away with maximum points. Thorns made too many mistakes and with other results not going their way they are now in the bottom three of the table.

The home pack pressurised the Cornishmen from the start and forced them into conceding penalties. Tim Stephens kicked two to open up a 6-0 lead in the first ten minutes. Liam Rinn then narrowly missed a drop goal, but Thorns were well-worth their lead. Midway through the half Camborne ran out of defence and Ollie Fleming stopped what looked like a certain try. However, Camborne were not to be denied and from a lineout their forwards drove over for the opening try, which went unconverted.

From the restart Giles Bristol and Jack Hussey led a drive into the Camborne 22. The visitors were caught offside and Stephens kicked his third penalty. Camborne then reduced Thornbury’s lead with a penalty. The Thornbury pack was on fire and as play again returned to the Camborne 22 they took a scrum against the head. George Maggs ran powerfully towards the posts but the back’s handling was clumsy and Camborne were able to clear.

Thornbury then took a second scrum against the head, Camborne infringed and Stephens kicked his fourth penalty to put Thorns 12-8 ahead.

Camborne attacked from the restart and after Thornbury made a hash of clearing the ball they ran in their second try. The conversion put Camborne 15-12 ahead. Adam Hodgkins had to come off with a horrific facial injury caused by an unprovoked punch which was not seen by the referee. Shortly after the second half resumed a fight broke out and Thornbury’s Jon Day was yellow carded. Camborne took play into the Thornbury 22 and their forwards were able to drive over for the third try, which was converted. The game was effectively over midway through the half when another Camborne rolling maul yielded a fourth try and the bonus point. Thornbury brought on brought on 19-year old George Jackson for his first team debut.

As the match went into stoppage time Rob Higgitt came off his wing and beat two men with a swerve before scoring a consolation try by the posts. Stephens added the extras but it was too little too late. Man of the match: Jack Hussey Thornbury scorers: try - Rob Higgitt; conversion - Tim Stephens; penalties - Tim Stephens (4).

* This Saturday Thornbury visit bottom club Chosen Hill, knowing nothing less than a five point haul will do. The seconds are also away whilst the thirds are at home to Dings Crusaders, 2.30pm.

* Thornbury’s second team game with Chosen Hill was cancelled an hour before kick off when the Churchdown side cried off. The thirds defeated Barton Hill 76-0.