Bobbie Jackson scored three of the Thornbees six tries in a fine team effort which highlighted how far the girls have come in such a short time.

A big crowd turned out for the match which was the first home game for Clevedon Ladies, and the Thornbees were honoured to be invited to provide the opposition.

Clevedon had the perfect start with a second minute try and the home side played with pace and passion. The Thornbees had to tackle hard from the outset; good defensive lines making sure that if a tackle was missed there were supporting players to take down the opposition.

The score was levelled on nine minutes when Bobbie Jackson broke from the ten metres line, showed great determination to hand off two would-be tacklers and race in for a great individual try. 5-5.

Emma Nicholson, Laura Panting and Jo Johnson made ground with powerful surges as Thornbury quietened the Clevedon side. Then Thornbees went ahead when Rachael Underwood ran straight before passing to Steph Bennett on halfway. She stepped off her right foot and raced through a gap showing great pace to run clear and touch down for another excellent try. This wasn’t the day for goal-kickers and the kick wasn’t successful but the Thornbees led 10-5.

The girls surged into the Clevedon ‘22’ and after applying pressure were awarded a scrum close to the line. Bobbie Jackson went over for a try from the scrum but the referee disallowed the score believing she was held up over the line, although as the players stood up the decision looked questionable as the only thing under the ball looked like a blade of grass. But the Thornbees were not to be denied. A few minutes later Emma Nicholson burst away from a scrum and leaving a trail of Clevedon players in her wake scored out wide for a 15-5 lead.

Clevedon hit back with a second try from the restart but the Thornbees thought they had scored on the stroke of half time when Jo Johnson charged through the Clevedon pack to touchdown close to the posts but again the referee mysteriously said the ball hadn’t been grounded. The Thornbees led 15-10 at half time.

The third quarter of the game was all Clevedon as they played with renewed energy, scoring a converted try eight minutes after the resumption of play. The try was converted with the only successful kick of the afternoon to lead 17-15. When the wing scored a fourth try shortly afterwards things were as gloomy as the light for the Thornbees who now trailed 22-15.

But the girls found their mojo and the forwards regained the initiative and in the last quarter of the game they arguably played their best rugby of their short history. They were terrific. The ball carriers were again prominent and tied up the Clevedon defence. Quick ball was used and again the livewire Bobbie Jackson was all over the pitch causing problems for Clevedon. Claire Kingston led a fine charge into the Clevedon ‘22’ but suffered a calf injury and had to be replaced. Cath Fishlock came on and slotted in at prop with Jo Dack making the unusual move from loosehead prop to inside centre.

Shortly afterwards constant pressure on Clevedon midway between the ‘22’ and halfway line eventually opened a gap which Bobbie Jackson exploited to run in for another long-distance try. Now trailing by two points the momentum was back with the Thornbees.

Cath Fishlock was hit hard in a fierce tackle causing one observer to comment “so much for the fairer sex”. After a few minutes lying watching the drone that was filming the game from high above the pitch she returned to slot into the next scrum.

With time running out the irrepressible Emma Nicholson charged at, and through, several Clevedon defenders, emerged through the other side and sprinted twenty metres for a fine try that regained the lead at 25-22.

Then with just a few minutes to go the Thornbees scored the try of the season so far. Dani Telka drove on half way, set up a ruck then excellent phase play and continuity saw the girls move up to the Clevedon ‘22’ opening a gap through which Bobbie Jackson sprinted to score close to the posts. It really was a great team try. Time ran out for Clevedon and the Thornbees had won 30-22.

The Thornbees may have spoilt the Clevedon party but one of the great features of community ladies rugby is the friendship and respect players have for each other. The rugby is honest, it is committed and both sides applauded each other, hugged each other and had a combined photograph together after the game. It was as it should be.

To recover from being behind then retaking control that they had lost showed great focus and commitment. To then finish off the game with an outstanding team try shows how much the ladies individually and collectively have progressed in just a few games. It is a great credit to them and to the coaching team that they have done so well.

A memorable afternoon.

Thornbees scorers: tries – Bobbie Jackson (3), Emma Nicholson (2), Steph Bennett.

Team: Steph Bennett; Gail Daniel, Claire Kingston, Rachael Underwood, Sharon Kingsland-Wain; Gemma Tyrrell (c), Bobbie Jackson; Jo Dack, Tina Pincott, Lindsay Broughton, Dani Telka, Jo Johnson, Emma Nicholson, Jodie Rudrum, Laura Panting.
Replacement: Cath Fishlock

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