Friendly Match Gordon League III 31 Thornbury III 35.

WITH a hastily reorganised team due to late cry-offs, Thorns travelled up to Gloucester with an experimental side.

As expected from a seasoned Gordon League team, they concentrated on size and experience but were ultimately undone by a Thornbury side that played the more expansive game and had youth on their side.

Leaving behind the rain, the game was played under blue skies without a hint of bad weather.

Unfortunately, after five minutes, Thorns were 7-0 down through a converted try but almost immediately struck back with scrum-half Carl Beyer scoring a try converted by fly-half Matt Belbin.

After 15 minutes, Thorns took the lead through a fine individual try fro Belbin.

Collecting the ball in his own half, he chipped ahead and caught the ball on the full to beat the first line of defence.

Chipping again, he collected the ball after two bounces and used his searing pace to score under the posts. Is he really 17?

With his conversion a formality, Thorns were 14-7 up.

Midway through the first half, the League drew level with a converted try and took the lead just before the break with an unconverted try.

A score of 19-14 was a fair reflection of the half.

Five minutes into the second half, prop George Fensome used his strength to score from 20 metres and, with Belbin again adding the conversion, Thorns were 21-19 ahead.

This was followed five minutes later by a fine individual try from wing Sam Bonizzi - wearing the Manager's boots.

Once again Belbin added the extras and Thorns were 28-19 up.

Fifteen minutes from full-time, Gordon League scored a converted try and the game was evenly balanced at 28-24.

The pace of the game now became frantic and both sides did their utmost to score.

Beyer scored his second try with ten minutes to go and Belbin converted to maintain his 100 percent kicking record.

At 35-24, the League were not yet finished and scored a converted try with five minutes to go.

Thorns had to defend ferociously but held out to record a fine victory.

Afterwards Thorns manager Howard Bowker said: "It was a fitting game to watch on the day the Barbarians played South Africa - end to end rugby and both sides giving their all".