Thornhill Trojans’ run in the Presidents Cup came to a disappointing end at Wibsey. The game was played in perishing conditions and the fact that so many supporters braved the conditions for the duration of the game showed how close this contest was. Thornhill were always in with a chance and felt short changed when the referee appeared to blow for full time 6 minutes early.

Man of the match for Thornhill was lively full back Sam Ratcliffe for the way he stood strong under some long periods of Wibsey pressure. There was also a sterling performance from Joel Gibson who battled on despite picking up a leg injury in the first half. Gibson refused to given in and hobbled on hoping he could run the pain off.

Wibsey came at Thornhill from the off and the first play of the game resulted in the first try of the game. From the kick off Wibsey pressed and Chris Vogel went over for a try between the posts. Luke Helliwell converted.

Thorhnill looked to respond quickly and had a try ruled out at the referee say the ball had been stolen from a Wibsey player.

Both teams continued to battle and Wibsey got the break they needed when play was worked up field. The move ended with Chris Vogel ploughing under a pile of bodies to register his second try of the game. Luke Helliwell converted.

As half time approached the cold afternoon suddenly became very overcast and inevitably the heavens opened as heavy rain bounced down.

Despite the conditions Thornhill refused to give in and Ben Kendall went on a rampaging run as he carved the Wibsey defence wide open. When Kendall was eventually tackled there was a quick play the ball. However, as Joel Gibson tried to pick the ball up from acting half the injury which he was carrying proved to be too much and the ball was dropped.

Despite trailing 12-0 at the interval there were many positives for Thornhill to take from the way in which they had applied themselves. Thornhill were very much still in the hunt when they came out for the second half.

Straight from the restart good handling took Thornhill towards the Wibsey try line. Mindaugas Bendikas then made a dangerous raid for the line but was held short. From the play the ball Danny Ratcliffe powered over for an unconverted try

The killer blow for Thornhill came midway through the second half when substitute Neil Sutcliffe went on a run. Sutcliffe appeared to have been brought to ground and held. But he suddenly got to his feet to continue the run and go over for an unconverted try. Was the player held? The referee said not and Thornhill were punished for some weak defending.

Thornhill refused to give in and Mindaugas Bendikas kicked the ball forward into the in goal area. Danny Ratcliffe gave chase to pounce on the ball to score but the referee was having none of it. In the referees opining Ratcliffe was off side at the kick and Thornhill were penalised.

Any hopes Thornhill had of reducing the deficit were ended when the referee blew for full time.

This was good effort from the Trojans and they must now turn their attention to climbing a mountain of back log Premier Division fixtures.

MATCH FACTS

Wibsey Warriors 16
(Maroon & White)
1) Jimmy Waddington
2) Jimmy Rodgers
3) Todd Carter
4) Nicholas Fontaine
5) Paul Jennings
6) Ryan Smith
7) Luke Helliwell 2 Goals
8) Russ Simpson
9) Daniel Conroy
10) Christopher Vogel 2 Tries
11) Sean Godfrey
12) Nicholas Walker
13) Harry Hall
Subs:
14) Neil Sutcliffe 1 Try
15) Jamie Mann
16) Michael Kite
17) Charles Marsh

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

Man of the Match – Sean Godfrey (Warriors) Sam Ratcliffe (Trojans)