Thornhill Trojans produced a confident performance in this must win game. With their destiny firmly in their own hands the Trojans know that every game until the end of the season is a cup tie if they are to finish as Champions. Therefore, this game at Wibsey was a test of the players’ mental strength as the previous 3 visits to this ground have all ended in defeat.

From the off Thornhill looked to be in control of this game. Man of the match Jordan Lowther lead the charge admirably with some excellent attacking play. Liam Morley also shone, creating a series of dangerous attacks for Thornhill.

The opening half hour of play was closely contested with both teams locked in a keen arm wrestle. The only point of note was when the referee brought a halt to play in order to request that a Thornhill supporter kept his opinions on some of the refereeing decisions under wraps for the remainder of the game.

Play resumed with Thornhill hunting their first score. It seemed to be again the run of play when scrum half Ryan Smith stepped away down the slope, through the Thornhill defence and over for a try to the side of the posts. Luke Helliwell converted.

This score made Thornhill tighten their resolve and right on the stroke of half time the Wibsey defence was stretched one way and then play was worked across the field to the other wing. The final pass from Danny Ratcliffe found winger Tom Ripley. Ripley took the ball and dived acrobatically over for a try in the corner. Ripley landed awkwardly as he hit the ground and this score effectively ended his role in the game. The goal was missed and Wibsey lead 6-4 at the interval.

Thornhill came out for the second half on a mission to make the slope work in their favour. Moments after the restart Jordan Lowther wove his way through the Wibsey defence and over for a glorious try between the posts. Joel Gibson converted as Thornhill’s confident play began to pay dividends.

Play once again restarted with Thornhill in possession. This time Joel Gibson broke away down the slope and found Joss Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe sent out a pass which put winger Adam Bird over for an unconverted try in the corner.

The slope once again put Thornhill on the front foot and Adam Bird went on a rampaging run. Play was then worked to the other wing and substitute Mindaugas Bendikas stepped over for a try which Joel Gibson line up to convert. Gibson hit the ball cleanly and it sailed between the posts for the extras. Unfortunately the kick was high enough to take it out of the ground and into one of the nearby gardens. The sound of breaking glass suggested that a ball had ended up in a greenhouse.

The irrepressible Jordan Lowther was once again ripping Wibsey apart when his pass found Joel Gibson. The supporting Gibson took the ball and went over for a try between the posts. Joel Gibson converted.

Despite this scoring spree from Thornhill the Wibsey team refused to give in and battled until the death. A break up the slop on 62 minutes ended with Ryan Smith burrowing under a pile of defenders from close range to go over for a try which Luke Helliwell converted.

Any hopes of a late Wibsey fight back were soon thwarted when Liam Morley stepped away to score a try between the posts. Joel Gibson converted.

Just before fulltime Wibsey put a kick towards the corner which caught Thornhill by surprise. Winger Paul Jennings scored the late try and Luke Helliwell converted.

This was a case of mission accomplished for the Trojans. With 4 games remaining they still have the summit in their sights.

MATCH FACTS

Wibsey Warriors 18
(Maroon & White)
1) James Waddington
2) Jimmy Rodger
3) Todd Carter
4) Luke Helliwell 3 Goals
5) Paul Jennings 1 Try
6) Harry Hall
7) Ryan Smith 2 Tries
8) Charlie Marsh
9) Daniel Conroy
10) Mark Darragh
11) Shaun Godfrey
12) Ross Simpson
13) Nicholas Fontaine
Subs:
14) Chris Rodger
15) Michael Batty
16) Michael Kite
17) Lewis Barrett

Thornhill Trojans
(White & Blue)
1) Sam Ratcliffe
2) Tom Ripley 1 Try
3) Richard Bostock
4) Joss Ratcliffe
5) Adam Bird 1 Try
6) Joel Gibson 1 Try & 4 Goals
7) Danny Ratcliffe
8) Ben Kendall
9) Jordan Lowther 1 Try
10) Anthony Harris
11) Jake Hickling
12) Aaron Briggs
13) Liam Morley 1 Try
Subs:
14) Mindaugas Bendikas 1 Try
15) James Folan
16) Joe Naidole
17) Jack Stead

Referee – Nigel Eaton (Halifax)

Man of the Match – Ryan Smith (Warriors) Jordan Lowther (Trojans)