No Reward for Gritty Thornbees

Already without key players the Thornbees were rocked when skipper Sadie Giles dropped out with illness. A reshuffle saw Hayley Hindmarsh chosen as an emergency wing whilst Julie Hutchings answered a call for help and stood in at scrumhalf. To face Westbury, who won the league in 2016/17, was hard enough but with a makeshift side a difficult task was made even harder. Yet not for the first time, the Thornbees played with purpose and no lack of skill but once again started badly.

Playing downhill Westbury scored the first try after 74 seconds, wing Lauren Balchin crossing out wide after the Thornbees were turned over in their ‘22’. Things got worse a few minutes later when after good continuity and some weak tackling Holly Noble ran in to double Westbury’s score.

Claire Brealey then brought off an outstanding tackle to save a certain try then Laura Panting drove powerfully through two tacklers to get the Bees back into the match. Claire then executed a second try-saving tackle close to her line. But shortly afterwards the ball was snatched at a tackle and lock Maisie Chester ran in for a third try. Two minutes later centre Chantelle Rugman showed good footwork and exploited some iffy tackling for a fourth try. Goal kicks were not being kicked but Westbury were 20-0 ahead.

By the time the first quarter drew to a close the Thornbees had become used to the pace and intensity of the game. Tackling improved significantly and there was better support play. Then Claire Brealey raced up the touchline, drew the opposition and passed inside as she was tackled. Unfortunately she suffered a serious arm injury in the tackle and was taken to hospital. Tina Pincott came on to replace her.

It was Gemma Tyrrell’s turn to produce a great tackle as another certain try was prevented. However Westbury had the last say and as halftime approached a powerful drive from the Westbury ball-carriers broke the line and despite good scrambled defence Westbury showed good support and No.8 Anna Hemmingway scored. Rebecca Lamb converted and Westbury led 27-0 at the break. Kyleigh Knott hobbled off and Hannah Daniels came on.

Now playing downhill, the Thornbees looked a far better side in the second half. The third quarter of the game was played almost exclusively within the Westbury ‘22’ with Jo Johnson, Laura Panting and Hayley Hindmarsh regularly carrying hard. Dani Telka was held up close to the line and the driving play was excellent. However, the defence was determined as well. As hard as they tried, the Thornbees couldn’t score.

Then Westbury charged upfield, Gemma Tyrrell produced another fine tackle but a terrific offload from the tackle enabled Chantelle Rugman to score again. Rebecca Lamb’s conversion put the game out of sight at 34-0.

Four minutes later Westbury replacement Lana Plummer finished off a good move for a fine try and with the score now 39-0 the scoreline was beginning to have a horrible and particularly unfair look to it.

Claire Kingston was then injured and taken off with a rib injury leaving the Thornbees with fourteen players but the Thornbees were undaunted. They continued to put their bodies on the line and play with great passion. Laura Panting was driven over the line but held up then after several minutes attacking close to the line in which the impressive Jo Johnson was twice close to breaking through they were awarded a scrum in last play. The scrum was as sold then as it had been all match and Charlotte Williams ran diagonally through the defence, was tackled short but able to reach out of the tackle and put the ball on the line for the try. She converted her try and the final whistle went.

It had been a tough game but once more the commitment of the Thornbees cannot be questioned. They never gave up and given there are so many of the team still desperately inexperienced all the Thornbury supporters were once again immensely proud of their players.

Jo Johnson and Laura Panting carried superbly and Sam Baker-Green is becoming a very good player, in what was only her third match. Ellie Steer and Charlotte Williams were again dangerous with ball in hand. Claire Brealey had an outstanding game until injury robbed her and the Thornbees of her presence and influence. Julie Hutchings played well and the club thanked her and Clevedon for helping the Thornbees out.

Referee Mark Williams overcame a leg injury to officiate the game with empathy and sympathy.

So another defeat, but had some of the missing players been available who knows what might have happened. Lady Luck is certainly not a Thornbee. The next match is in three weeks’ time on the 4G artificial pitch against Hornettes.

Scorers:
Thornbees: try and conversion – Charlotte Williams
Westbury Ladies: tries – Chantelle Rugman (2), Lauren Balchin, Holly Noble, Maisie Chester, Anna Hemingway and Lana Plummer. Conversions – Rebecca Lamb (2)

Teams:
Thornbees: Claire Brealey; Hayley Hindmarsh, Claire Kingston, Gemma Tyrrell, Gail Daniels; Charlotte Williams, Julie Hutchings; Sam Baker Green, Elaine Romeao, Dani Telka, Sam Urch, Jo Johnson, Kyleigh Knott, Ellie Steer, Laura Panting (c)
Replacements: Tina Pincott, Hannah Daniels

Westbury Ladies: Georgia Fuke; Katie Vaughan, Chantelle Rugman, Elizabeth Satchell, Lauren Balchin; Rebecca Lamb, Maeve Taylor; Cara Fitzgerald, Lucy Harper, Emma Samways, Maisie Chester, Madeleine Bias, Holly Noble, Sasha Smith, Anna Hemingway (c)
Replacements: Lily Lamb, Wendy Baker-Mitchell, Jessica Crudge, Sophie Broome, Lana Plummer

Referee: Mark Williams (Bristol Society)