Thornhill Trojans

PENNINE LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

SATURDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2012

DRIGHLINGTON 32 THROHNILL TROJANS 16

AT THE BATTLEFIELDS

Thornhill’s journey along their Premier League learning curve continued at reigning champions Drighlinton. Although the final score shows Thornhill’s third defeat from 3 outings this was by far their best performance to date. Progress is very much apparent.

The game saw the return to the club of Danny Ratcliffe. After spells in the professional game with Dewsbury, York City Knight and finally Hunslet Hawks, the South Leeds club released him from his professional contract earlier in the week to allow him to return to his original amateur club. Ratcliffe definitely brought a spark to the side and will be a useful acquisition for the Trojans as they look to compete at this level.

Many late comers to this game will have been surprised to find out that Thornhill weren’t actually leading at the interval. The home team scored more or less straight from the kick off. The ball was quickly worked out to the wing and into the hands of Tom Moorby. Still in his own half of the field Moorby used a fantastic turn of pace to go around the outside of the Thornhill defence. As the try line approached he cut inside to cross for a try between the posts on 45 seconds. Michael Sanderson converted.

This was an immediate set back for the Trojans which they did very well to rally and try to recover from. Man of the match for Thornhill was Scott Green. The hooker was a real bundle of energy as his tried to take play forward and make ground for Thornhill. It was one good run from Green that almost resulted in a try for Thornhill but Ryan Fenton was held on his back over the try line.

There was then another body blow for Thornhill when Drighlington broke away. The Thornhill cover defence appeared to have done their job but a pass was flung inside to the supporting Adam Newton. From around 2 meters out Newton took the pass and charged over for an unconverted try.

But Thornhill continued to battle and showed far more composure than in earlier games, especially with ball in hand. Finally the break through Thornhill needed came when Drighlington lost the ball close to the Trojans line. Thornhill winger Adam Bird was alert to the situation and snapped up the loose ball. Bird set off at a canter to cover nearly the full length of the field. The Drighlington defence was no match for Bird’s pace and the try was scored between the posts. Sam Ratcliffe converted.

This score cut Drighlington’s lead to 10-6 as the teams turned around at half time.

But as the second half progressed the home team upped their intensity and proved why they are the Champions. On 43 minutes hooker Sam Pickles went over from close range when he ploughed under a pile of bodies to score a try. Sanderson converted.

Thornhill then lost possession in a one on one situation. John Gallagher was the player who emerged with the ball in his hands and strode away for an unconverted try.

Despite trailing 26-6 Thornhill refused to give in and a piece of magic from Danny Ratcliffe created a try for the visitors. A perfectly weighted kick from Ratcliffe dropped into the in goal area. Tom Holdsworth was on hand to touch the ball down and score a try. Sam Ratcliffe converted.

Any hopes of a Thornhill fight back were quickly thwarted when Gary Smith took advantage of some slack Thornhill tackling to score. Smith went on a searching run as he wove through the paper thin Thornhill defence to score a try. Sanderson converted.

Right at the death Ryan Fenton scored for Thornhill when another wonderful kick from Danny Ratcliffe dropped in the right place. Fenton burst onto the ball and scored an unconverted try. There was no time to restart play and the referee blew for full time.



MATCH FACTS

Drighlington 32
(Black & Amber)
1) Nathan Larvin
2) Chris Cowling
3) John Gallagher 1 Try
4) Kevin Doyle
5) Tom Moorby 1 Try
6) Adam Newton 1 Try
7) Michael Sanderson 4 Goals
8) Sean Lambert
9) Sam Pickles 2 Tries
10) Andy Brierley
11) Luke Pennington
12) Jensen Okhovat
13) Gary Smith 1 Try
Subs:
14) Ryan Jackson
15) Reece Micklethwaite
16) Liam Coughlan
17) Steve McKintyre

Thornhill Trojans 16
(Maroon & White)
1) Liam Morley
2) Sam Ratcliffe 2 Goals
3) Ryan Fenton 1 Try
4) Jake Wilson
5) Adam Bird 1 Try
6) Joss Ratcliffe
7) Danny Ratcliffe
8) Anthony Harris
9) Scott Green
10) Joe Naidole
11) Ben Eastwood
12) Rob Kelly
13) Jake Ratcliffe
Subs:
14) Tom Holdsworth 1 Try
15) Mason Bailey
16) James Folan
17) Adam Hoyle

Referee – David Asquith

Man of the match – Andy Brierely (Drigh) Scott Green (Trojans)