Thorns began and finished the better side in a game dominated by committed and aggressive defences that battered the attacking sides in an absorbing, tense and thrilling game.

With the squad replenished by the return of the missing from Chew Valley Thorns chose a side similar to that which was victorious over Bridgwater and Lydney. Bob Adams and Harry Glew returned to the wings with Jack Pinker and Billy Cantin reunited in the centre. Jay Burley returned to tight head and Jim Massey also came back in but slotted in at second row with Louis Osborne at No 8 flanked by Ben and James Phillips. Johnny Heaven made his first start of the season with Kieran Wilson stepping down to the bench.

Due to the fall of the fixtures and the distraction of the annual onion festival Newent were playing their fourth successive game away from home. Remarkably for the side that narrowly missed out on the play-off place they probably deserved last season they had lost all three previous matches. Yet the combination of a desperation to win and the dynamic nature of their game meant Thornbury had to play with the form and style they had adopted in winning their first two matches to banish the horrors of Chew Valley and secure a third win of the season.

Thornbury kicked off downhill and immediately played with more intensity and vision than they had in their last game. Within two minutes Thorns launched a many-phase move and Jay Burley carried hard to burst through the Newent defence, fed Jak Evans and he raced through, drew the defence and fed the supporting Jim Massey but the ball was dislodged from his arms with the line open and at his mercy. Shortly afterwards Thorns demolished the Newent scrum and forced a penalty. Sam Evans opted to go for the corner rather than the points and after Newent had defended the driving lineout the forwards launched several pick and drives on the line and Thorns’ skipper was driven over for the try. Bob Adams converted for an early lead.

It looked as though Thorns would score again as they moved the ball and gave it width but the Newent defence put pressure on and forced handling errors and Thornbury couldn’t add to their score. Instead Tom Webb kicked a penalty for Newent. Shortly after the restart Sam Evans and Ben Phillips combined to open up the left side of the field but Newent’s scrambling defence bundled Thornbury’s openside into touch deep in the Newent ‘22’.

As the first quarter came to a close Thorns reflected on how dominant they had been but their 7-3 lead looked fragile. When Newent surged into the ascendency in the second quarter only outstanding defence from Thornbury kept their line intact. Jak Evans went off for strapping on his knee and Jonny Sanderson came on. Evans returned a few minutes later and when Louis Osborne was yellow-carded for collapsing a maul it looked as though Newent would score but Thorns kept them out and maintained their 7-3 lead at half time.

Thorns began the second half similarly to the first but their handling wasn’t accurate enough. But ten minutes into the second half Bob Adams extended the lead with a penalty. However, Newent attacked from the restart and exploited a rare missed tackle to put wing Brad Down in at the corner for a try on his debut. Webb converted well to tie the scores at 10-10.

Shortly afterwards Newent centre Dan Fletcher was yellow-carded for a punch. Thorns brought on Kieran Wilson for Johnny Heaven and Charlie Squier came on for Ben Phillips. Then from a scrum Thorns made the most of the extra man when attacking from a scrum Alfie Richardson came in and with Harry Glew off his wing space was made and Glew put Adams in at the corner for the try. The conversion narrowly missed but Thorns were back ahead at 15-10.

Webb added a second penalty for Newent then Jay Burley had a try disallowed. From a counter-attack James Phillips and Richardson created space but the referee adjudged the pass from Thorns’ fullback to Burley was forward.

But Thorns were now playing open and expansive rugby with a bit more space to operate in and it was only good defence that kept them out. Thorns’ back three were starting to cause problems then Thornbury attacked from a lineout and a chip from Billy Cantin was taken by fellow centre Jack Pinker and he scored close to the posts. Adams converted to put Thorns two scores ahead at 22-13. He added an important penalty shortly afterwards and Thorns led 25-13 as 80 minutes came up on the watch.

Two minutes into added time Thorns attacked with great continuity and support and after Sam Poustie slipped out of a tackle he passed wide for Pinker to put Richardson in at the corner. The conversion missed but Thorns were now out of sight at 30-13.

There was time for the match to restart and a good attack created space for Fletcher to dive over for a try. Webb converted. The match then surprisingly restarted and every time there was a stoppage the final whistle was expected. Eventually after seventeen minutes of added time the whistle went with Thorns 30-20 victors.

This was as hard a game as one could wish to see. The tackling from both sides was brutal at times as the defences kept their lines intact. Thornbury’s pack had the edge in the tight and the scrum went well. Newent seemed to tire late on when more space was available and Thorns scored their late tries. There were excellent contributions from all players. Sam Evans was his usual outstanding best and there were powerful carries from Ben Phillips and Jay Burley in particular. Chris Moseley had a much-improved performance and Jim Massey looked at home in the second row. Jak Evans made Newent think every time he had the ball and good options by the centres gave the back three opportunities. Billy Cantin was awarded player of the game by the sponsors from King Lifting, Weldmec Construction and The Fox Inn.

Thornbury play Cleve next, with the game scheduled for Friday evening at Mangotsfield, kick off 7:45.

Scorers:
Thornbury: tries – Sam Evans, Bob Adams, Jack Pinker, Alfie Richardson; conversions – Bob Adams (2); penalties – Bob Adams (2)
Newent: tries – Brad Down, Dan Fletcher; conversions – Tom Webb (2); penalties – Tom Webb (2)

Teams:
Thornbury: Alfie Richardson; Bob Adams, Billy Cantin, Jack Pinker, Harry Glew; Sam Poustie, Jak Evans; Johnny Heaven, Sam Evans (c), Jay Burley, Chris Moseley, Jim Massey, James Phillips, Ben Phillips, Louis Osborne.
Replacements: Kieran Wilson, Charlie Squier, Jonny Sanderson.
Newent: Tommy Devries; Nathan Brooks, Jack Guy, Dan Fletcher, Brad Down; Tom Webb, Sam Piper; Ade Potrykus, Fred Nottingham, Chris Steward, Toby Freeman, Russell Upton, George Humphris, Leo Oakey, Ross Webb (c).
Replacements: Nathan Awford, Jack Devries, Josh Preston.

Referee: Adam Glen (Bristol Referees Society)