Thornbury began their preparations for the new season with matches against Midlands team Old Halesonians. The weather had prevented rugby being played at the club ground in Rockhampton so the matches were switched to the artificial surface at Lockleaze Sports Centre in Bristol.

Two games were played – a match between the second XVs of the clubs followed by one between the firsts. With holidays and the diversion provided by the Boomtown Festival the first XV was considerably below strength. The second XV comfortably won their match but the first XV, which included some players who had taken part in the earlier game, lost.

The afternoon began well with Jon Sanderson scoring a try after 104 seconds of the second XV game. Hooker Tom Williams converted then the duo scored again four minutes later to open up a 14-0 lead. James Donohue had a fine game in the centre and ripped through on a dangerous run put the ball was dropped out wide close to the line. However Thorns were not to be denied and after Old Halesonians were turned over in their ‘22’ Ben Read showed great determination in breaking though several tackles to score. Williams added the extras for 21-0.

Midway through the first half Old Hales opened their account with a converted try following a driving lineout. But Thornbury scored again when Dan Green raced in shortly after the restart. Williams converted and Thornbury led 28-7 at half time.

The second half was one-way traffic. Donohue juggled the ball when breaking through, deceived the defence and scored. Sanderson completed his hat-trick of tries then replacement Marcus Groves finished off a fine break by Green. Alfie Richardson, also a replacement, used his electrifying pace to score two late tries and take Thorns over the half century and to a 53-7 win.

The attitude and application of the players had been outstanding. James Donohue had a fine game in the backs while new backrower Ben Phillips had an eye-catching debut in a Thornbury shirt.

The match between the First XVs was a different story. Thornbury defended well but struggled to get their hands on the ball. The visitors scored two tries in the first half and with heavy rain making the ball and surface of the pitch increasingly slippery the opportunities Thornbury had to score invariably ended with a knock-on.

The second half was more of the same with Thorns struggling to get decent possession but defending stoutly. Old Halesonians scored a third try early in the second half then Thornbury were unlucky not to score when Tom Williams was bundled into touch in-goal. With the rain now torrential Thorns got more into the game but the lineout didn’t work well and Old Hales capitalised on the loose ball. With several players showing fatigue from playing in both matches Thornbury became guilty of kicking away possession late in the game but there was no further score and Old Halesonians held on for a 15-0 win.

Overall, the matches gave the coaches positive food for thought, and the younger players will have benefited from the experience.

Players involved in the games were: Alfie Richardson, Ben Phillips, Ben Read, Ben Rodriguez, Dan Green, Dan Hussey, Davy Crowley, George Sheldon, Henry Low, Jack Civill-Williams, Jack Hussey, Jack Summerfield, James Donohue, Jonny Sanderson, Jordan Voss, Luke Panting, Marcus Groves, Mike Beswick, Ollie Biggin, Rich Bennett, Robin Harrison, Sam Poustie, Tim Cunningham, Tom Constable, Tom Ford, Tom Williams, Wayne Underwood, Will Kane

This Saturday Thornbury travel to Cleve for a first team match, kick off 3:00.