Rugby Garbett’s interception try the key moment in Thornbury win
THORNBURY had to battle all the way to overcome tenacious Wellington. With a try bonus point secured by half-time, Thorns struggled to get going after the break and allowed Wellington back into the game until a timely interception by Sam Garbett led to a try which took the wind out of Wellington’s sails. Thorns ran in four tries in the latter stages for a victory which was not as comfortable as the scoreline suggests.
Thornbury scored two early tries. Prop Luke Pantin was on hand to dive over after Jake Wood was tackled short. Then, after the Wellington defence made a hash of a kick behind them, Wood put Mike Gaston in. Jack Pinker converted one for a 12-0 lead.
The visitors scored from a driving line-out before Thorns hit back when Alfie Richardson took the ball in midfield, bisected the advancing defence and swerved through the next line before bursting clear to score in the corner. The 17-5 lead was extended late in the half when Wellington were turned over on their 22 and Jay Burley charged in for the bonus-point try. Pinker converted.
Wellington scored their second try on the stroke of half-time and the conversion saw Thorns 24-12 ahead at the interval.
Wellington scored again early in the second half and dominated the third quarter. It was backs to the wall for Thorns, then Wellington attacked deep in Thornbury’s 22 but a long pass was intercepted by Garbett, who raced the length of the field for the try. Pinker converted to extend the lead to 31-19. It was a crucial moment as Garbett’s try ensured that momentum switched to Thornbury and the regained mojo saw Jak Evans burst through on halfway, and after Sam Butcher, Pinker and Wood carried on the move, Burley blasted his way through the last defenders to score Thorns’ sixth try. Pinker added the extras for a 38-19 lead.
Wellington secured the bonuspoint try shortly afterwards, but any hopes that they could earn a losing bonus point were dashed when Wood scored Thornbury’s seventh try after Evans took a quick penalty and the centre stepped inside the cover to score.
In injury time, a long pass from Pinker found Panting unmarked and he touched down for the final try. Pinker’s conversion brought up the half-century.
Also on Saturday, Thornbury III defeated Minchinhampton III in a match which saw the 600th senior Thornbury appearance of Jon Pullin.
Pullin, son of former Bristol, England and Lions hooker John, was on the winning side as Thornbury won 42-21. The Thornbury team also included former Bristol and England forward Roy Winters.