With probably the strongest squad that we are likely to see this year, the 2nd teams home game against league leaders BAE Warton, seemed a hard result to call. Rumours during the week had put us on the top of the must win list in the BAE camp. Information had told us they had trained well during the close season and also gave us the play makers to look out for. We were firmly in the sights of the BAE squad, after 2 wins out of 2 and being second behind them in the league, with only points difference separating us. However, looking at the team selected and also the kind of rugby we had played, in the first 2 league games, the Skipper was quietly confident of a first home win for Thornton as a club, although maybe not by many points.

As the Thornton players arrived it quickly became apparent, that Vice Captin Melvyn Nixon, had got quite carried away with his forwards selection. The Skipper had to take him to one side and remind him that the 15 was for the backs and the forwards, not just the pack. A late arrival of Robbie McKendrick at Scrum Half ment that Boot, back from injury but not fully fit, did not have to put to much strain on his ankle until called for from the subs bench. Dave (Chairman) Harrison was also happy that he didn't have to play Scrum Half and could also watch from the subs bench. Strength in depth was on our side for a change.

Thornton lost the toss and BAE chose to play with the wind and Thornton asked to receive the ball from kick off. The ball went deep and Russell Irwin, back from his serious paper cut, called caught and took the ball in. Let battle commence! Good solid pack play in the first 5 minutes saw the ball straight out to the backs. Simple hands along the line coupled with support play ment an early try for Ryan Hanson against the wind. After missing a penatly attempt in the first 5 BAE were under their posts watching Lingard convert.

Some excellent tackling in the Backs and defensive work at the rucks and mauls saw BAE thwarted in their attempts to use their big runners. A fine kick and chase from Thornton saw the Backs all over BAE, to force a penatly which Lingard, again, converted. Some good support play, led to Dickens taking the ball from Chad Feldwick out of the tackle and saw JP slice through the Warton defence to score a try. 15 - 3 down Wartons supposed game plan had not included Thorntons desire.

Ryan Hanson, after doing a stirling job being on and off 3 times with a blood injury, was finally replaced by Dom Lewis who came on at 14 and allowed Chad to move to Outside Centre just before the break. After some careless penalties against Thornton and some dubious decisions by a fine referee at half time the score was 17 - 6 to Thornton.

A straight change with Harrison coming on for Lingard, left Thornton as they were at the restart. About 10 minutes into the 2nd half, Ross Dickens, after again putting his body on the line to secure a lose ball, was rewarded with a few stitches and an early shower. Boot, onto replace, saw a return to the Flanking parternship he has with Pete Smythe for the first time this season. Boot straight into his hallmark tackling, saw him provide opportunities for the pack to steal posession. Some good defence under pressure in our own half, then saw Thornton trying to consolidate their position. As the mood on the pitch worsened, a late oscar nomination for dive of the year went to the BAE player who received a bit of "Jamaican Rum Punch" from Boot. Boot was then allowed to spend what seemed like 15 minutes under the posts for his efforts and the first yellow card this year. Some poor discipline from a frustrated and dirty BAE saw Thornton giving as good as they got.

Robbie McKendrick, after some fine decision making all game, broke up the middle from the Thornton 10 and with support from JP and Liam left and right, saw him just get the pass away out of the tackle for Liam to score under the posts and next to a very happy and vocal Boot. (Although the Ref was not amused).

A very late tackle on Dom Lewis in the last 10 minutes, saw him help the offender to a birds eye view of the Thornton playing surface. A fine strike to the chin which earn't him a couple of votes for man of the match, a yellow card and early shower but something we obiviously cannot condone. After not losing any points during Boot's yellow card offence when we were down to 14, the Ref allowed BAE the quick penalty after Lewis's sending off and penalised Thornton twice for not being 10 to give BAE a consolation try on a plate. The final score Thornton 29 BAE Warton 13.

A fine team performance by everyone of the squad but the champagne and Man of the Match went to Robbie McKendrick closely followed by Mark Pearson and James Pellowe.