Thirsk went into this game feeling they were unlucky not to get more out of last weeks game away against a strong Leodesians 3rds in another merit league fixture.With 24 players available despite missing their Captain Matthew Barr and a couple of injured regulars confidence was high such is the strength in depth Thirsk is enjoying this season and they were not to disappoint the crowd that gathered to watch.
Thirsk started brightly and soon got in their stride,with strong forward play as they took the game to a young Corinthians side, hard work was turned into points after prolonged attack from Thirsk pushed them in the visitors 22 before scrum half Chris Wood crossed for his first of three tries on the day,but despite the try being under the posts the conversion kick was missed ! Thirsk went back to buisness from the restart and within minutes had crossed the try line again this time after a great phase of play with backs and forwards combining to push play up field to set a ruck 15 metres from the try line,more than able Stand in number 8 Sean Thorley picked up and drove for for the line, as his run was slowed 5 metres out he turned and off loaded to Prop Andrew Acheson on a charging support run to crash over for 5 points Woods converted to put the home side 12 points up with 10 minutes gone.The game continued in similar vein from the restart as Thirsk's dominant forwards set the platform for the backs to cause no end of problems for the visitors defence,with an unchanged back line for the last 3 games starting to forge a great partnership in attack and defence, with old head Iain Matta at the heart of it.The next try was indeed the reward of a great move from the backs starting from half way line a combination of quick hands and great running lines broke the visitors defence and set up a great scoring opportunity, and as the ball was recycled by the forwards from the break down back out onto the wing,Prop Shaun Thompson still loitering out wide from the last play proved to strong from 5 metres and added another 5 points to the score, but again however Woods kicking was uncharacteristically off target so the extra points went begging.
Then came a real purple patch in Thirsks play as Wood's crossed for his second again unconverted,closely followed by second row Norman Downey showing good strength to cross for his 1st of the season and with a change of kicker from Wood's to Tom Harrison the conversion was added pushing the score out to 29-0 at half time.
The physical first half had taken it's toll on the visitors and to avoid them playing the second half short of players Thirsk offered the services of Three of their players to bolster the ring whery visitors team,this was to prove a very successful move for the visitors as they started to break the defence line of Thirsk and build some attacks on the back of hard work by flanker Boz Borwell.Prop james Taylor ,and Dale Motley at centre all Thirsk exiles.The visitors had their chances to add points but Thirsks defence stayed solid and kept them out.Thirsks game for most of the second half lacked the bite of the first half as they failed to take the opportunity to re address their points deficit in their league placings but still
dominated the field position and controlled the game,frustratingly for the spectators the score stayed the same until 10 minutes from the end when eventually Chris Wood's completed his hatterick of tries on the back of another great move by the backs breaking 30 metres up field before Woods sniped in from close range making the final score 34-0.
Thirsk are still unbeaten at home this season a record they must try to maintain if they are to push up the merit league standings.With Thirsks Captain returning for the merit league clash against Castleford at home on saturday they will be looking to build on a solid display,and keep their 100% home record.
1st Team Head coach Duncan Burgess was interviewed after the game and said although he was pleased with the way the team played it is key to further development that players get off the Sofa on Tuesday and Thursday nights and find their way to the club to train! He also added that the H2O coordinator played a key role in saturday's victory!