Tribute South West One West

Teignmouth 17 Thornbury 41

DEPLETED Thornbury returned from South Devon with five points from a determined win against the odds. New fullback Sam Higgins scored 21 points on his debut as Thorns grabbed six tries.
Injuries and unavailabilities forced Thorns into seven changes but nevertheless they began positively.  Rich Bennett and Wayne Underwood nearly put Rob Higgitt in for a first minute try and the pack destroyed the Teignmouth scrum. 
The first try came after three minutes.  Thorns turned over the home side close to their line.  The ball was moved quickly to the right where Higgins dived in for the try.  His conversion attempt narrowly missed but Thorns were 5-0 ahead. 
After Teignmouth were close to scoring Thorns counter-attacked but Harry Calder was tackled without the ball.  Teignmouth got away with it and returned to the Thornbury 22 and kicked a penalty. 
With half an hour gone Rich Bennett burst through and raced fifty metres before putting Rob Higgitt clear but he was tackled on the line and held up.  However, Thorns were not to be denied and from a powerful scrum Thorns shunted Teignmouth over the line and were awarded a penalty try.  Higgins converted for 12-3. 
Thornbury attacked from the restart and Calder had another good run but received a high tackle and had to be replaced.  But on the stroke of half-time Thorns attacked again.  Higgins broke clear and showing good pace and determination crashed over for another try.  He converted his score for a 19-3 half-time lead. 
It took Teignmouth only 15 seconds of the second half to score as Thorns allowed the ball to bounce, which it did conveniently into the arms of the home back-row who scored.  The conversion reduced Thorns’ lead to 19-10.
Three minutes later Thorns secured the try bonus point.  Boris Elloff-Petros secured a lineout and the pack surged 15 metres for a Jack Hussey try.  Higgins’ conversion hit the post but Thorns were 24-10 ahead. 
Higgins extended the lead with a penalty then Thorns dropped the ball on the line and the chance for another try had gone.  However, shortly afterwards Thorns went for the corner and Hussey was driven over for another try from a lineout.  Higgins added the extras for a 34-10 lead. 
Early in the last period Thorns attacked down the left and a well-placed cross kick from Wayne Underwood found Boris on the opposite touchline.  He cut inside the cover and dived over for the try.  Higgins’ fourth conversion took Thornbury to 41-10 ahead.
With the game deep into injury time Teignmouth scored a consolation try which was converted with the last kick of the game. 
This was a satisfying win for Thornbury, who played with a pace and intensity Teignmouth struggled with.  The scrum was dominant throughout and the new players did well.  The hard-running backs threatened whenever they had the ball and the back row secured several valuable turnovers. 
Next Saturday Thornbury are at home to North Petherton, kick off 3pm. 
Thornbury scorers: tries – Sam Higgins (2), Jack Hussey (2), Boris Elloff-Petros, penalty try; conversions – Sam Higgins (4); penalty – Sam Higgins