Thornhill Trojans kicked off the new Premier Division season with a well-deserved victory. This game was not a classic by any stretch of the imagination, but the Trojans did what was necessary to grind out the league points. After a very patchy 1st half the Trojans came into their own in the second half with some well taken tries despite a continued battle from the Halifax team.

The Trojans held the upper hand throughout this game mainly due to the enterprise of Jake Wilson, Jordan Lowther and Andrew Bates. All 3 used their footballing abilities to unpick the Halifax defence. Jordan Lowther was particularly effective at making ground from the acting half as he took the Trojans forward. The official man of the match award went to Andrew Bates.

There were also good showings from Liam Morley and Anthony Harris. Harris quietly got on with the hard work of driving the ball up field to gain vital field space, while Morley constantly turned the Halifax defence inside out with to clever runs in play.

Liam Morley scored the first try of the game when he completed a flowing passing move from the Trojans. The ball was worked at speed along the attacking line. The ball found Morley out in the Centre position. Morley broke away, held off a defender and powered over for an unconverted try near to the corner flag.

An injury to Rob Kelly just short of the half hour mark forced the Trojans to reshuffle. Despite the change around the Trojans managed to score their second try of the game. This try was created by Jordan Lowther when he opted to go for glory himself from the acting half position. Lowther darted for the try line and eventually emerged from a pile of defenders with the referee signalling for a try. Andrew Bates converted.

In the run up to half time Anthony Broadhead had the ball ripped from his grasp. Thornhill were awarded the penalty in front of the post and Andrew Bates kicked the goal to make the score 12-0.

Thornhill started the second half in style with the ball being flung out to winger Jake Hickling. The youngster took the ball 20 meters out and set off on a sprint down the wing. With his 1st touch of the ball Hickling made the most of his opportunity and sped over for a try. Andrew Bates converted.

But then the Halifax side began to mount a mini fight back. Full back Jamie Silcox took advantage of a missed tackle to break clear and dive over for an unconverted try in the corner, taking the flag with him.
Prop forward Dave Smith then barged over for a try between the posts. Luke Sandland converted and suddenly Thornhill appeared to have a game on their hands.

However, a brilliant attacking move from Thornhill up the middle of the field blew Halifax wide open. Jake Wilson flipped a pass up into the patch of the charging Anthony Harris. Harris made no mistake with taking the pass and steamed over for a try which Andrew Bates converted.

This try was quickly followed by an excellent solo effort from Sam Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe broke up the wing, beat a Halifax defender and raced away to score an unconverted try.

With the Halifax team still chasing the game, Josh Baldwin scored a try when he followed up a kick forward. The goal attempt was wide of the mark despite the Halifax touch judge raising his flag high to signal it was on target. The referee was having none of it.

It was straight from the restart that Thornhill scored a freak try that sealed the result. Andrew Bates kicked off high into the wind. The ball traveled 10 meters but seemed to hang in the air due to the strong wind. Thornhill’s Danny Ratcliffe read the situation perfectly and snatched the ball to catch Halifax out. Ratcliffe raced away to score a try with the Halifax defence totally off guard. The try was scored and Andrew Bates converted.

A good start to the season for Thornhill.

MATCH FACTS
Halifax Irish 14
(Green & Yellow)
1) Jamie Silcox 1 Try
2) Matt Farrar
3) Chris Norman
4) Hamish Barnes
5) Aaron Brown
6) Luke Sandland 1 Goal
7) Michael Holden
8) Dave Smith 1 Try
9) Andrew Fox
10) Richard Mudd
11) Chris Moran
12) McCauley Nortcliffe
13) Andrew Brocklehurst
Subs:
14) Josh Baldwin 1 Try
15) Chris Rollings
16) Gary Keogh
17) Dan Sullivan

Thornhill Trojans 34
(Maroon & White)
1) Sam Ratcliffe 1 Try
2) Ryan Fenton
3) Liam Morley 1 Try
4) Richard Bostock
5) Joss Ratcliffe
6) Andrew Bates 5 Goals
7) Danny Ratcliffe 1 Try
8) James Folan
9) Jordan Lowther 1 Try
10) Anthony Harris 1 Try
11) Rob Kelly
12) Anthony Broadhead
13) Jake Wilson
Subs:
14) Jake Hickling 1 Try
15) Stuart Springett
16) Johnny Mack
17) Luke Eastwood
Referee – Andrew Fossett (Huddersfield)
Man of the match – Richard Mudd (Irish) Andrew Bates (Trojans)