Thornhill Trojans continued their preparations for life back in the National Conference League with this confidence boosting victory at Premier Division side Thatto Heath Crusaders. The Trojans really were good value for their victory with star of the show Danny Ratcliffe putting on an exhibition of in play kicking. Ratcliffe was outstanding with his kicking, constantly pinning the Merseyside team back and setting up several scoring chances for the Trojans.

A major beneficiary of Danny Ratcliife’s kicking was winger Mindaugas Bendikas who registered a well taken hat-trick of tries. There were also solid showings from Tom Ripley Ben Eastwood.

The choice of opposition for this warm up game looked to be a brave move for the Trojans and the opening exchanges suggested the Trojans were heading for a long day at the office. No sooner had the game kicked off than second row Luke Bradshaw took advantage of Thatto Heath’s ability to keep the ball alive. Bradshaw finished the move by crashing over for a try which Shaun Quinn converted.

Thatto Heath continued to ask questions of Thornhill in the opening exchanges. With play close to the Trojans line a Thornhill player dropped off in a tackle situation allowing Adam Heskith to go over for the second try of the game. Quinn converted.

Trailing by 12 points Thornhill looked to be heading for a comprehensive defeat but suddenly the visitors took a hold of the game. After a couple of earlier attacks, Thornhill finally got the break through they required. The turning point came with play of the last tackle and Danny Ratcliffe chipped the ball forward into the path of Mindaugas Bendikas. The Thatto Heath defence was opened up and Bendikas pounced to score and unconverted try.

This score really did give Thornhill some self-belief and after Jake Hickling and Sam Ratcliffe has taken Thornhill close, a back to one call from the referee allowed the pressure to be maintained. Play was quickly moved to the other side of the field and Joss Ratcliffe broke clear to go over for a try. Sam Ratcliffe converted to see Thornhill trail by 2 points at the interval.

Thatto Heath came out for the second half realising that they now had a game on their hands. Good hands from Thatto Heath caused Thornhill problems. This quick handling over stretched Thornhill and Ben Roberts went over for a try in the corner. Quinn converted.

This try was swiftly followed by a drop goal from Jack Jones as Thatto Heath tried to make the game safe.

But instead the game rapidly slid away from Thatto Heath as the Trojans turned on the style to seal victory.

A chip forward from Danny Ratcliffe put Mindaugas Bendikas away on a run. Bendikas showed a devastating turn of pace as he sped 30 meters to score and unconverted try.

Thatto Heath then lost the ball from a scrum down situation, Bendikas snapped up the loose ball and raced 40 meters to score his hat-trick try. Sam Ratcliffe converted. Now, for the first time in the game the Trojans were in front.

Another kick forward from Danny Ratcliffe once again proved to be Thatto Heath’s undoing. Tom Ripley finished the move by touching down for an unconverted try.

Liam Morley turned the screw when from a back to one situation, close to the try line he played on and went over for an unconverted try.

Tempers were now beginning to boil over and small scuffles began to break out resulting in the referee having to speak to players in order to calm down this “friendly” game.

On the stroke of full time Thatto Heath’s Andy Lea went over for a try at the side of the posts which Quinn converted. But deep in stoppage time Thornhill put the result beyond doubt when Sam Ratcliffe broke clear. Ratcliffe went racing up the field and as the defence moved in on him he kicked forward. Danny Ratcliffe was on hand to gather the ball and score a try between the posts. Sam Ratcliffe converted and the referee called for time in this warm up game.

An excellent away victory for the Trojans!

MATCH FACTS

Thatto Heath Crusaders 25
(Black, White & Red)
1) Shaun Quinn 4 Goals
2) Niall Allen
3) Dave Bates
4) Leon Tatlock
5) Owen Scholes
6) Sean Leicester
7) Jonathan Maxwell
8) Danny Wakefield
9) Mark Beech
10) Luke Bradshaw 1 Try
11) Andy Lea 1 Try
12) Tommy Davies
13) Adam Hesketh 1 Try
Subs:
14) Mick Ledger
15) Ste Woods
16) Philip Asson
17) Christian Platt
18) James Hull
19) Alan Dootson
20) Ben Roberts 1 Try
21) Dave Boon
22) Jack Jones 1 Drop Goal
23) Jonathan Jones
24) Stephen Lucas
25) Tom Smith
26) Nathan Ashurst
27) Liam Quinn
28) Mike Stanley
29) Jonathan Griffith

Thornhill Trojans 34
(Maroon & White)
1) Sam Ratcliffe 3 Goals
2) Mindaugas Bendikas 3 Tries
3) Tom Ripley 1 Try
4) Joss Ratcliffe 1 Try
5) Jordan Truelove
6) Liam Morley 1 Try
7) Danny Ratcliffe 1 Try
8) Ben Eastwood
9) Josh Clough
10) Gareth Love
11) Jake Hickling
12) Rob Kelly
13) Scott Green
Subs:
14) Adam Allerton
15) Anthony Harris
16) Josh Manton
17) James Folan
18) Dom Mason

Referee – John McMullen (Wigan)

Trojans Man of the Match – Danny Ratcliffe