Thornbury Rugby's win away at Weston-super-Mare

Sam Garbett scored a last-minute try as Thornbury took the spoils in a pulsating win at Weston.

Having led at half time Thorns endured a torrid third quarter before striking back in the final stages to secure a hard-fought but deserved win, scoring three tries in both halves.

Thornbury kicked off and began well. Jack Oakey was unlucky when a well-placed cross-kick from Jack Pickles bounced away from him with the route to the line clear, and later Mike Johnson raced clear from deep on a fine run but the ball was kicked away.

Weston opened the scoring on 13 minutes when the left wing scored in the corner.

The conversion missed but Thorns went ahead when Alfie Richardson spotted a gap, linked up with Oakey and Tom Stolliday scored.

Bob Adams converted and Thorns were 7-5 ahead. The lead was extended two minutes later.

Tyrese Redgers attacked direct from the restart and linked with Ben Wood before Richardson applied the after-burners and scorched in for a fine try.

Adams converted for 14-5 as the first quarter came to a close.

Weston hit back with a converted try before Thorns had the last say of the half when their powerful scrum shoved Weston over their line and Wood scored.

Adams converted and Thorns led 21-12 at half time.

Thornbury struggled to get going after the break and Weston scored two converted tries to go 26-21 ahead.

As the final quarter began Thorns got back into the game and launched their first meaningful attack of the half with Charlie Shipp tackled into touch by the corner flag.

Having been close to scoring a few minutes earlier, Shipp scored the bonus point try after Richardson raced through a gap and put him in for the score.

The conversion narrowly missed but it was all square at 26-26.

Weston went back ahead a few minutes later when their influential No.8 scored to go 33-26 ahead and time was running out for Thorns.

But once again, Thorns hit back shortly after conceding points.

Richardson, Adams and Johnson took play to deep in the Weston ‘22’ and then Gez Asante hit the line on a good angle and scored close to the posts.

The conversion missed and Weston kicked a drop goal seconds later to lead 36-31.

It was now or never for Thorns and they attacked from the restart.

They struggled to get through a resolute defence then Pickles cross-kicked with pin-point accuracy to Garbett who swerved inside the defender and out-paced the cover to score.

The scores were tied again but this time Adams converted and put Thorns back ahead.

There was still time for the match to restart, Weston attacked and Thorns tackled for three long minutes.

Showing great discipline, they held out for a fine win.

Thornbury deserved their win.

They scored more tries and played at a higher pace. Jack Summerfield scrummaged powerfully and Tyrese Redgers had his best game in a Thornbury shirt.

Jack Pickles had another fine game, and showed great vision and confidence with his cross-kick for Sam Garbett to score the winning try. Bob Adams played well and coped with the pressure to convert the try and win the match.

Thornbury have a ‘free’ weekend coming up then host top of the table Drybrook on October 12.