Rugby Thorns survive Bridgwater’s late revival to complete the double
THORNBURY secured the ‘double’ over Bridgwater in a South West One West game in which they were both outstanding and poor in equal measures. Thorns scored three tries but managed to butcher five other clear chances and allowed Bridgwater back into the game, which resulted in unnecessarily nervous closing minutes.
Bridgwater began the match on top but Thornbury’s defence frustrated the hosts, who eventually opened the scoring with a penalty.
The restart enabled Thorns to take the game to Bridgwater and Jack Pinker, Jake Wood and Sam Garbett combined in a sweeping move that took play deep into the
Bridgwater 22. Thornbury attacked from a line-out and lock Tom Constable ran in unopposed for a try. Pinker converted for a 7-3 lead.
Bridgwater hit back with a second penalty, but Thorns responded soon after when the forwards rumbled from a line-out and drove Luke Panting over. The conversion missed, but Thorns attacked from the restart and Pinker kicked a penalty to put Thorns 15-6 ahead at the break.
Thorns hit the ground running at the start of the second half. Wood made a glorious break but the last defender pulled off a try-saving tackle on Mike Priday. Then Jack Hussey took a quick penalty a few metres out but was obstructed and Thorns could have been awarded a penalty try.
But Thorns were piling on the pressure and a hurried clearing kick was run back by Wood, who ripped through the first line but a covering tackle dislodged the ball as he was about to score.
Thorns were tearing Bridgwater apart but desperate defence and Thornbury errors prevented tries. Thorns should have been out of sight. Pinker kicked a penalty for an 18-6 lead.
As the third quarter drew to a close, Bridgwater’s No 8 picked up the ball from a scrum five metres from his line. Ollie Maher tackled him, the ball went loose, Hussey collected it and passed out of the tackle to Pinker, who scored Thorns’ third try, which he converted and then added a penalty for 28-6.
There were ten minutes remaining when Bridgwater scored from a quick penalty. Then, after Garbett had been tackled on the home line, the home full-back threaded his way through some weak tackling to score. In the last play, the Bridgwater second row strode through for a try. A final score of 28-21 seemed unlikely at one time.
At times, Thornbury were irresistible. They played fast and furiously and created so many chances to score they could have doubled their total. In creating the chances they were terrific, in finishing them off they were ordinary.
The final match of the season is on Saturday week when Thorns host leaders Chew Valley, who will go into the game knowing a win will confirm them as champions.