Thornbury 43

Cullompton 24

Thornbury blew Cullompton away with an outstanding first half display as they won their third game in a row writes Dave Fox.

The try bonus point in the bag after 20 minutes Thorns took their foot off the gas and allowed Cullompton back into the game, but Thorns never looked in danger of losing the match. As a rugby rarity each of Thorns’ starting front row scored tries.

Cullompton kicked off downhill and after initial exchanges Thornbury ran the ball back. Jake Wood made a break and put Alfie Richardson in for a second minute try. Wood converted. Five minutes later the score was doubled. Cullompton were turned over in midfield and quick passing created space which Dan Hussey ran through to score. Wood converted.

Thorns were playing at pace and looked to run the Cullompton pack off its feet. Tom Luke burst away from his ‘22’. Wood and Rich Bennett linked with Tom Williams and the ball reached Luke Panting who barged one defender out of the way and ran in for the third try. Wood added the extras.

As the first quarter drew to a close Thorns attacked from a lineout. Luke ran hard in midfield, the ball was quickly recycled and Kieran Wilson touched down.

The bonus point secured, Wood’s conversion put Thornbury 28-0 ahead.

Cullompton eventually managed to take play to the Thornbury ‘22’ and after several minutes pounding the Thornbury line their hooker crossed for a converted try.

Thornbury restarted and resumed normal service with a fast and furious attack in the visitors’ half. Luke put a penalty into the corner. The forwards drove and Ben Phillips crashed over. The conversion hit the post and the first half ended with Thornbury leading 33-7.

Thorns kicked off but appeared to be half asleep allowing Cullompton to dominate all aspects of the game. They scored a second converted try, this time from a driving lineout, and two minutes later they scored again when a poor kick was ran back and the left wing scored in the corner. Thorns’ lead had reduced to 33-19.

As the final quarter began so Thornbury got back into their routine. Skipper Sam Evans powered over from a driving lineout. Harry Woolf hammered the restart upfield. Cullompton failed to deal with the ball and Bennett gratefully accepted a ricochet to sprint in from half way. The conversion missed but Thorns were well out of sight at 43-19.

In last play Cullompton scored again to secure a try bonus point. As the conversion sailed wide the final whistle sounded.

Thornbury played with width and pace and had an early ambition which saw them take control. The performance in the first quarter was close to perfection. The second half was a nervous affair. Tom Williams and Sam Evans carried well whilst Tom Luke was an irresistible force in midfield. The scrum creaked in the second half but the lineout went well. The match sponsors awarded the Player of the Match to the hard-working Ben Phillips who had an outstanding game in attack and defence.

Next Saturday Thornbury travel to North Petherton. Thornbury will have to play for eighty minutes to succeed on their bogey ground.