Newent 17 Thornbury 22

Battling Thornbury made it back to back wins after a battling display at Newent over the weekend writes Dave Fox.

In a game that oscillated from end to end throughout Thorns reacted better to poor conditions and had the edge in tight forward play. Newent played dry-weather rugby on a distinctly wet afternoon and paid the penalty.

Newent kicked off downhill and after even early stages Thornbury had a lineout in the corner. The forwards drove from the lineout; Tom Williams broke clear and touched down for the opening points. Jake Wood’s conversion hit the post.

Newent kicked a penalty before Rich Bennett who stepped inside the defence on a fine run into the Newent ‘22’. Williams, Luke Panting, Tom Luke and Jack Hussey carried in another sustained attack but Newent cleared. Exciting, breathless rugby, but Thornbury should have scored.

Shortly afterwards skipper Sam Evans was hauled down close to the Newent line and once more the home side cleared. In constant rain the ball now becoming increasingly slippery.

Newent attacked once more and this time their diminutive outside half nipped in for a try which he converted himself. Newent led 10-5 at the break and Thornbury could feel with some justification that they were unlucky to be behind.

Thorns regained the lead within ninety seconds of the restart. The Newent defence made a hash of a high kick from Jak Evans; Panting

Ten minutes later Wood increased the lead with a penalty then a powerful driving lineout rumbled twenty metres but was held up over the line. From the scrum Thornbury drove Newent over their line for a push-over try claimed by Hussey. Wood’s conversion increased the lead to 22-10.

Newent piled on the pressure as time began to run out. The home side, desperate for a score to secure a losing bonus point, attacked frantically and in last play their centre picked the ball up at a ruck on the Thornbury ‘22’ and raced in for a try between the posts. The conversion was followed by the final whistle Thornbury deserving their win of 22-17.

This was a fine game between two teams intent on playing open rugby. Thornbury were more pragmatic and although their kicks for points were sometimes unsuccessful the decision was entirely correct on such a wet afternoon. Thorns’ scrum and lineout went well and they were more physical at the breakdown than in recent matches.

The forwards won the game with great carrying from Jack Hussey, Sam Evans and Tom Williams prominent throughout, and Luke Panting had his best game since returning to Thornbury.

The back row scavenged well and with Jak Evans behind them tying up the Newent back row there was space outside to exploit. The backs defended well and ran hard, with Mike Beswick also enjoying an excellent game.

Next Saturday Thornbury are home to Cullompton.