Newent 0 Thornbury 38

Thornbury’s well-drilled forwards out-muscled Newent to deliver a powerful six-try return to winning ways after three successive defeats, writes Dave Fox.

Newent kicked-off with the breeze at their backs and after even early moments Thorns took play to the home ‘22’ where the Forest club struggled to clear their lines. After ten minutes Thornbury went ahead. They won a lineout on the Newent ‘22’ and the forwards drove before releasing the ball. Then after play was taken close to the Newent line the forwards picked and drove before Sam Evans powered into two defenders and took them over with him for the try. Jack Pinker converted for a 7-0 lead.

The conditions ensured the game would be an arm-wrestle, and Thorns looked to carry through the midfield rather than spinning the ball wide. Early in the second quarter Thorns again drove from a lineout in the Newent ‘22’. The backs joined in and the maul rumbled over where Pinker was awarded the try, which he converted. Newent restarted and rumbled into Thornbury territory and looked to drive over. Thorns held out and led 14-0 at the end of a tight first half.

The first score of the second half would be crucial, and it was Thorns who had it. They attacked from a scrum deep in Newent territory and after a brief period of pick and go Chris Moseley crashed over for his first senior try for the club three minutes after the break. The conversion went wide but Thorns led 19-0 and looked to have the game in the bag.

Ten minutes later the forwards drove again from a lineout and this time it was James Phillips who scored the try. With a bonus point in the bag Pinker converted. Then Thorns scored again three minutes later when Mike Beswick charged down the left wing then after the ball was moved inside Harry Glew picked up and ran in from a breakdown to score between the posts. Pinker converted to put Thorns 33-0 ahead.

As time was running out Thorns’ pack continued to dominate and destroyed the Newent scrum. In injury time they scored from another driving lineout with Jay Burley claiming their sixth try. The conversion missed but the referee blew for the end of the match with Thornbury winners 38-0.

It was a well disciplined and controlled performance by Thornbury who knew how to play in the conditions. They had a game plan and executed it perfectly. Sam Evans had another outstanding game ably supported by all his team mates. In particular Chris Moseley, who had another commanding game and Ben Marlow also had a match he could be proud of whilst the experience brought by Jack Hussey was invaluable. The backs played the game close to the pack and defended well when Newent attacked.

Thornbury are home on Saturday to Cleve, kicking off at 2pm.

Thornbury scorers: tries –Evans, Pinker, Moseley, Phillips, Glew, Burley; conversions –Pinker (4)