Thornbury showed great character to recovered from a fourteen point deficit to earn a maximum points win at North Petherton Thorns’ determination and fitness showed as they took control of the game and dominated the last thirty minutes to win their fourth game in a row.

North Petherton kicked off with a gale at their backs. The home side had a substantial pack and played ten-man rugby, making good use of the wind with kicks behind the Thornbury defence.

Pethy opened the scoring on thirteen minutes when they stole a lineout on the Thornbury 22 and after the forwards had driven to the line their centre scored a converted try. The centre scored a second converted try five minutes later to open up a 14-0 lead.

Thornbury attacked from the restart and after Tom Luke had put a penalty into the corner, the forwards drove Sam Collins over from the lineout. Jake Wood’s conversion was blown wide.

Shortly after, Thorns won a Pethy lineout and the ball was moved quickly into midfield where a long pass from Luke found Dan Hussey in space and he crashed through a tackle and scored in the corner. Wood converted with an excellent kick to bring Thorns back to 14-12.

North Petherton extended their lead five minutes from the break when their back row barged over for another converted try and at half time they led 21-12. Early in the second half a Pethy rolling maul rumbled twenty-five metres for their bonus point try and a 26-12 lead.

Staring defeat in the face, Thornbury showed guts and determination to take control of the game. The pack was more mobile, forced more turnovers and retained the ball better as they set about stretching the home defence. Thorns pressurised them into kicking the ball clear allowing, Alfie Richardson the chance to run the ball back. From one clearing kick close to the end of the third quarter, he ran wide and cut through the defence on a thirty metre run before passing outside for Hussey to score his second try. Wood converted then added a penalty to make it 26-22.

The momentum was with Thornbury and from the restart they scored the try of the match. Thorns won a lineout on their ten metre line and crisp passing again put Hussey into space. He made good ground, drew the fullback and passed out wide to Richardson who ran in for a try. The bonus point was in the bag and Wood’s conversion put Thorns 29-26 ahead.

Thornbury closed out the game in the last 15 minutes for a deserved victory. Thorns face Devonport Services at home on Saturday, October 20.