Chippenham 26

Thornbury 34

THORNBURY started the 2019/20 season with an encouraging win at Chippenham with a disciplined and well-structured performance in a competitive pre-season friendly, writes Dave Fox.

Retirements, travelling and holidays denied Thorns the services of several players, including skipper Sam Evans, but new players and the return of familiar faces gave the selection an experimental but exciting look to it. Bob Adams was chosen on the wing after nearly two seasons out injured whilst James Wood had recovered from injury and started his first match since January. The squad included new players Mike Johnson, Jack Pinker and Billy Cantin plus colt Alex Johnson who would also make his first team debut. Jack Hussey captained the team.

With the main pitch at Ting Tong Field about to be replaced with an artificial grass pitch the game was switched to a pitch at the neighbouring Allington cricket club. Heavy showers had made the surface slippery but a gale-force wind would prove to make goal kicking difficult.

Thornbury kicked off downhill with the gale at their backs and immediately stretched the home side, the ball being moved at pace with width. Thorns went ahead when good passing from an attacking scrum put Alfie Richardson in at the corner. The conversion didn’t trouble the posts. The lead was doubled a few minutes later when forwards and backs drove from a driving lineout and Mike Beswick touched down for the try against his former club.

The teams took a short breather after twenty minutes and changed ends. Thorns now faced a slope and the gale whilst Chippenham attacked with renewed confidence but an outstanding tackle and counter-ruck from James Phillips prevented a try being scored. Instead Thorns took play upfield and from a lineout close to the home line the forwards drove Charlie Squier over for the third try.

Thorns’ passes were then intercepted twice in a few minutes, both errors leading to tries and with a conversion Thornbury led 15-12 at half time.

Midway through the third quarter James Wood charged through and Richardson made good ground before the ball was moved infield and Luke Panting scored. Sam Poustie converted. As the third quarter came to an end another burst from Wood created space for Pinker to score. Poustie added the extras for a 29-12 lead.

Both sides had made use of their squads with regular interchanges throughout the match and Thorns took several players off for the final quarter. Chippenham scored two converted tries in quick succession to reduce arrears to 29-26 with ten minutes remaining but Thornbury knuckled down and kept the ball tight. After a driving lineout failed to get over the Chippenham line the forwards picked and drove with Phillips powering over for a thoroughly deserved try. Thorns regained the ball from the restart and closed the game out for a well-deserved 34-26 win.

There was much to take from the game with outstanding performances from James Wood and James Phillips in particular. Alfie Richardson looked a threat whenever he had the ball and the defence was aggressive and well-organised. Bob Adams had an eye-catching match and the new players would feel they played well. Thorns looked a well-drilled outfit.

Thornbury play their second pre-season friendly at Old Halesonians on Saturday.

Thornbury scorers: tries –Richardson, Beswick, Squier, Panting, Pinker, Phillips; conversions –Poustie (2)