St Ives 34

Thornbury 18

Thornbury were let down by another poor start as they fell to a second successive away defeat against St Ives writes Dave Fox.

Although finishing both halves the stronger team, Thornbury’s inexperienced side allowed St Ives to play their impressive power game and were outmuscled by a physically bigger side.

Thornbury faced a stiff, chilly wind as St Ives kicked off.

Thorns looked stuck in third gear as St Ives launched waves of attacks with their powerful ball-carriers making inroads through some unconvincing tackles. Thornbury hung on but eventually conceded a try to the home forwards. A second try followed shortly afterwards then a third almost directly from the restart. Fifteen minutes gone, St Ives led 15-0.

At last Thornbury woke up and from the restart made ground into the home ‘22’ for the first time. They applied pressure and after Mike Beswick cleverly drew the defence Alfie Richardson had the chance to run. The ball was moved to Dan Hussey who went over only to be called back for a forward pass. But the referee was playing advantage and Jake Wood slotted over a penalty to open Thorns’ account.

Now in the second quarter Thornbury had some possession and moved the ball through the backs. Close to half time Thorns had a scrum on halfway from which Jake Wood made a glorious outside break, Alfie Richardson took it on and fed Harry Glew who was hauled down five metres short but he offloaded to Wood who scored a fine try in the corner. He couldn’t convert but a few minutes later added a second penalty to reduce arrears to 15-11 at the break.

There was confidence that Thornbury could see this out, but St Ives had other ideas. They scored a fourth try and as the third quarter drew to a close their wing scored and at 27-11 St Ives were all but home and dry. But Thornbury were not giving up and had confidence to run out of defence but they dithered, were turned over conceded a sixth try.

With the result no longer in doubt Thornbury looked to salvage something from the game. Chris Moseley and Wood took play into the home ‘22’ then the ball was moved wide where a bizarre pass that was thrown backwards and blown forward by the wind at such a pace Richardson struggled to reach it before rounding the cover and scoring a try. Wood added the conversion but St Ives closed the game out for a comfortable win.

It had been a fine game of rugby. Thornbury were smaller in build and younger in age and largely inexperienced compared to the home side yet they played with guts, pride and determination. However Thorns gave St Ives the space and time to dictate their game and Thornbury were on the back foot for most of the match.

Sam Evans had an outstanding match in attack and defence. Thornbury’s industrious back row went well and there were good contributions from Mike Beswick and Sam Poustie while Jake Wood took his try well. The set piece was solid and the lineout functioned remarkably well considering the conditions.

Saturday’s home game with Keynsham will be another test. Kick-off is 2:30.

Thornbury scorers: tries –Wood, Richardson; conversion –Wood, penalties –Wood (2)