Thornbury 22

Lydney 17

Thornbury's dominant first half paved the way for a hard-fought win over Lydney writes Dave Fox.

In awful conditions, Thornbury had to dig in deep to keep out an increasingly influential Lydney pack which threatened to score regularly during the second half.

Thornbury started well. Tom Constable and Tom Ford combined to charge down a clearing kick and secured the ball. It was moved along the three quarter line. Gez Asante was twice involved in the move and dived over to score but the referee adjudged the final pass forward and Lydney cleared.

Thornbury's forwards drove again from a lineout. After James Wood made good ground Jak Evans dived over but the referee again disallowed the score. But Thorns were not to be denied and after Jim Massey charged from the scrum Sam Poustie took a popped pass and scored out wide. The conversion was blown wide.

Lydney attacked from the restart and scored an unconverted try in the corner to level.

Thornbury attacked at pace from the restart and were awarded a scrum on the ‘22’. Louis Ogilvie came in off his wing and burst through then good hands put Asante in for a great try. Jake Wood converted to open a 12-5 lead.

As half-time, approached Thornbury disrupted a Lydney scrum and put the Severnsiders under pressure.

The ball was dropped and Bennett picked it up and sprinted in for the third try. Jake Wood converted and at half time Thorns led 19-5.

A different-looking Lydney emerged, wearing clean shirts and with a new determination.

Torrential rain returned and with an icy gale behind them Lydney took control. The inevitable score came from a scrum to reduce Thorns’ lead to 19-10.

Jake Wood kicked a penalty to extend the lead to 22-10 but Lydney were awarded a penalty try at another scrum on the Thornbury line to make it 22-17.

Then Evans took control and deployed a series of well-directed box kicks as Thornbury kept the ball tight and closed out the game. They were twice close to scoring but the referee blew early for the end of the match.

The Thorns are seventh in the South West Division One West with eight wins from 14 games.

Thornbury's next league game is on Saturday, January 5 with a visit to Weston-super-Mare to take on Hornets.