Thatcher’s treble holds off the Irish

REPLACEMENT Nicholas Thatcher’s hat-trick helped Broadstreet to a satisfying victory.

Irish looked to have claimed a dominant lead in the first half, but Thatcher’s first try, followed swiftly by another from James Seabrook meant Broadstreet led at the half-time whistle.

After the break, Reon Joseph grabbed a double for the Geese in four minutes but it was not enough as Thatcher scored two more to seal the victory.

Irish started in emphatic style, with Peter Hodgkinson and Joe Price crossing in the first 15 minutes.

Nyle Beckett was the first to respond for Broadstreet, and a penalty try brought the score square at 14-14.

George Owen touched down to put Irish back into the lead, only for Thatcher and Seabrook to go over and take Broadstreet into the clubhouse ahead. The lead changed hands yet again after Joseph’s two tries, with a rare missed conversion for Alexander Seers, but it was short lived as Antony Worthington and Thatcher scored.

Five more points from Charles Broughton and a Seers conversion brought Irish to within two points with 13 minutes left, but Thatcher dealt the final blow with a last-gasp try.