Third win of season for Thornbees

Scrum half Bobbie Jackson scored a second-successive hat-trick of tries.

Hardwicke & Quedgeley arrived a couple of players short so Thornbury leant them two players and played thirteen-a-side in a game refereed with sympathy and imagination by Sean Goodridge.

The Thornbees took a few minutes to get going by which time they found themselves trailing 5-0 following a try from the visitors. But the score was equalised shortly afterwards when Bobbie Jackson scored after a break up the touchline by Sadie Giles. The Thornbees score was doubled shortly afterwards when Bobbie Jackson broke from deep but was caught in the ‘22’. The ball bounced around between players in a scene from a netball match before Rachael Underwood burst for the line, was tackled and the ball moved to Laura Panting who ran round to touch down between the posts. The conversion narrowly missed but the Thornbees led 10-5.

The Harlequins had a useful pack of forwards but lost the ball in contact allowing the Thornbees to counter attack. Forrest set off on one such run but was high-tackled. However the Thornbees kept up pressure and after a number of drives to score Jodi Rudrum crashed over, showing great dexterity to reach over and plant the ball over the line.

Leading 15-5 the Thornbees struck again shortly afterwards when Sadie Giles broke from a scrum on halfway and sprinted away and scored between the posts for a fine individual try. The conversion missed but the ladies led 20-5.

On the stroke of half time Harlequins scored their second try when great determination saw them surge through a number of would-be tacklers to score. The Thornbees led 20-10 at half time.

Three minutes after the restart Bobbie Jackson picked up a loose ball on her own line and raced away to score her second try of the match. She completed her hat-trick two minutes later running in from the ten metre line pursued all the way by referee Sean Goodridge, who showed commendable pace to keep up and remarkable fitness to have the puff to blow the whistle to signal the try.

Now leading 30-10 it seemed that the Thornbees lost some concentration and the Harlequins took control. Bobbie Jackson was hurled rather than tackled into touch and took exception to her handling but the last quarter of the game was dominated by the Harlequins ladies, who scored two further tries to make the final score 30-20 to the Thornbees.

Both sides deserve great credit for their efforts. The Thornbees continue to improve their basic skills and the return of the experienced Sadie Giles made a significant difference. Bobbie Jackson completed her second successive hat-trick of tries – this jug purchasing is getting expensive for Quent and Marian. Credit too to Raffy Johnson playing in the unusual position of centre and to the girls that helped out the Harlequins numbers on rotation.

The best wishes of everyone at Thornbury RFC go to Hardwicke and Quedgeley Harlequins in their quest to establish and consolidate a Ladies side. It is hoped there will be a return fixture at the Kingsway Sports Centre in the New Year.

Thornbees scorers: Bobbie Jackson (3), Laura Panting, Jodi Rudrum, Sadie Giles.

Thornbees Starting XIII: Rachael Underwood; Sharon Kingsland-Wain, Claire Kingston, Jo Johnson, Steph Bennett; Gemma Tyrrell (c), Bobbie Jackson; Catherine Preston, Tina Pincott, Lindsay Broughton, Jodi Rudrum, Laura Panting, Sadie Giles.
Replacements: Lauryn Clayton, Gail Daniel, Jo Dack, Cath Fishlock, Dani Telka, Kyleigh Knott.