But despite another performance in which there was a considerable amount of credit to be taken the result was Thorns’ sixth defeat in the last seven matches and Thornbury remain dangerously close to the third relegation place, currently held by Teignmouth.

With Jak Evans still out it was of considerable relief to have Harry Glew fit again and he came in at scrum half for the first time since late November. This allowed Sam Poustie to return to outside half and Jake Wood to inside centre. Rich Bennett came in on the right wing whilst in the pack Kieran Wilson returned after representing Gloucestershire U-20s and made up a front row with Luke Panting at tight head with Jack Summerfield hooking in the absence of skipper Sam Evans. Teenage locks Chris Moseley and Tom Constable made up the second row and in a new-look back row Jim Massey came in at six, Ben Phillips at seven and Liam Pemberton played at No.8. Henry Low, home from university, covered the front row from the bench with Max Harper the other forward replacement and James Donohue the backs. Sam Poustie captained the side.

Okehampton were two points clear at the top and after losing their last match on the road were desperate for points, albeit for different reasons than Thornbury.

Okehampton kicked off downhill and went ahead after two minutes when Thornbury’s backs had encroached within ten metres of a lineout and wing Kieran Lee kicked a penalty. The early stages of the game were even, but Thornbury’s lineout wasn’t working and possession was surrendered. But Thorns went ahead on twelve minutes. A clever move on halfway put Dan Hussey through a gap and he raced clear down the right touchline. He was hauled down with a fine cover tackle deep in the Okehampton ‘22’ but the forwards picked up and drove forward in a number of charges, gradually moving the play diagonally across towards the posts where Liam Pemberton was able to touch the ball down at the foot of a post and was awarded the try. Jake Wood converted for a 7-3 lead.

Thornbury’s scrum began to struggle against a far bigger and experienced eight but Liam Pemberton was able to clear the set-piece, although ball was not always as clean as the halfbacks would have wished. The Okehampton scrum half, by contrast, had an armchair ride. And it was that powerful eight that regained the lead for Okes when they drove Thorns backwards over the line from a scrum five and skipper Tom McGrattan touched down for the try. Lee converted for 10-7.

Okehampton were now in control but Thorns’ defence was sound, however on the half hour Okehampton scored again when Thornbury decided to run the ball from their goal line but it was knocked on and centre Rhys Palmer picked it up and dived over for the simplest of tries. The conversion missed, and shortly afterwards Henry Low came on for Jack Summerfield.

The match developed an unsavoury flavour a few minutes later when Louis Ogilvie received a knee to the face when on the ground following a tackle. The incident appeared deliberate and off the ball and incensed a number of spectators, including neutrals who had broken off from watching the Third XV game on the adjoining pitch. The referee didn’t see the incident and the culprit escaped. Louis was taken off with a facial wound and concussion. Thus Thornbury’s injury jinx had hit again, this time as a result of foul play. James Donohue came on to replace him.

As the half drew to a close Thorns attacked in the Okehampton ‘22’ and Okes’ replacement prop John King was yellow-carded for persistent infringement in the red zone. But Thorns were unable to make their numerical advantage tell. The forwards pounded the Okehampton line as they had for their earlier try, ignoring space out wide, but when they eventually took that option the space had been filled and a knock-on a couple of metres out handed possession to Okehampton. They spotted Thorns’ defence was narrow and ran the ball rather than kicking it clear and took play to the Thornbury line where prop Rob Dugard crashed over for the try. Dan Fogerty converted the try and half time saw Okehampton 22-7 ahead. The score flattered the visitors.

Early in the second half James Donohue enjoyed a fine run down the left wing. Thorns were getting more ball from the breakdown and were able to launch more attacks, but the lineout continued to be a problem.

Rich Bennett was then close to scoring. The ball was moved to him and he kicked it behind the defence towards the goal line. The Okehampton defence fumbled it and it ricocheted into Chesh’s hands but as he crashed into the defender standing on the line he didn’t have full control and it went loose and was cleared. Thorns continued to apply pressure and Harry Glew was close to getting over but the Okehampton defence was sound and kept them out.

Instead the try came to Okehampton when early in the final quarter they drove flanker Paul Lawrence over from a lineout for the bonus point try. Lee’s conversion extended the lead to 29-7. Max Harper came on for Jim Massey.

But Thornbury were not down and out yet, and a few minutes later scored a blistering try. Jake Wood cut inside Fogerty and bisected the cover on a fine run from halfway. As he was caught he fed Sam Poustie who passed to Dan Hussey running at full pace. He was hauled down ten metres from the Okehampton line but he passed out of the tackle to Alfie Richardson who scored between the posts. Jake Wood converted and at 29-14 Thorns had a glimmer of hope they could salvage a point. But it was not to be. Thornbury continued to look for a way through the defence and in the dying moments Liam Pemberton and Okes’ Paul Lawrence were yellow-carded for handbags at dawn. The match ended a few minutes later and again Thornbury were left to rue their luck and remained empty handed.

Had Thornbury played like this in early January they would have done far better in the games with Hornets and Newent, and may have scraped a win on the artificial pitch at Hornets. But the lineout was a problem and although the industry of every player was exemplary the handling on occasions was poor, albeit largely due to the Okehampton defence’s line speed which was constantly quick, and allowed to be so by the referee.

There were many fine performances. Kieran Wilson battled well against a prop twice his size and age and was prominent in the loose, as was Liam Pemberton and Ben Phillips. Jake Wood had an outstanding game again and is a high-quality player, but the joint sponsors from the Anchor Inn Oldbury and St Austell Brewery deservedly awarded the Fox Inn Player of the Game to Rich Bennett for fine defence and creative attack.

Thornbury’s next league game is a crucial one at Coney Hill on March 2nd, where Thorns will have to go to a place where they have not enjoyed regular success looking for five match points. However, there is also a game on Wednesday when they play Avonmouth in the Quarter Final of the Combination Cup. That takes place at North Bristol RFC under lights, kicking off at 8:00.

Scorers:
Thornbury: tries – Liam Pemberton and Alfie Richardson; conversions – Jake Wood (2)
Okehampton: tries – Tom McGrattan, Rhys Palmer, Rob Dugard and Paul Lawrence; conversions – Kieran Lee (2), Dan Fogerty; penalty – Kieran Lee.

Teams:
Thornbury: Alfie Richardson; Rich Bennett, Dan Hussey, Jake Wood, Louis Ogilvie; Sam Poustie (c), Harry Glew; Kieran Wilson, Jack Summerfield, Luke Panting, Tom Constable, Chris Moseley, Jim Massey, Ben Phillips, Liam Pemberton.
Replacements: Henry Low, Max Harper, James Donohue.
Okehampton: Gareth Espin; Ryan Lee, Rhys Palmer, Bevon Armitage, Kieran Lee; Dan Fogerty, Joey Bruce; Pat Nash, George Trerise, Rob Dugard, Brad Curtis, Sam Turner, Paul Lawrence, Dean Abrams, Tom McGrattan (c).
Replacements: Johnny King, Karl Pearce, Robert Fishleigh.

Referee: Michael Ince (Manchester Referees Society)