THORNBURY came up just short of winning the Bristol Combination Cup in a tough final against Avonmouth at the Memorial Stadium, writes Dave Fox.

Thornbury started and finished the better of the two sides but failed to execute their game plan effectively enough and kicked away valuable possession when keeping the ball in hand appeared the better option.

It was a nervous start for Thornbury, who went 3-0 down, but as soon as the packs went down for the first scrum there was something for their large following to cheer as Avonmouth were shunted backwards and upwards. Jak Evans kicked the loose ball towards the Avonmouth line, caught the fullback and forced a turnover. Thornbury tried to blast through the Avonmouth defence but were awarded a penalty, which Tim Stephens kicked to make the score 3-3.

It was all Thornbury at this stage as they took play back into the 22, but the Avonmouth defence was able to stop the waves of attacks until eventually the ball was cleared. Within seconds Avonmouth had restored their lead at 6-3 with a penalty and then went further ahead with a converted try close to the posts for a 13-3 half-time lead.

Avonmouth went further ahead early in the second half with a second converted try and at 20-3 behind Thorns were looking at a mountain to climb.

But after defending for most of the third quarter Thorns took play back into the Avonmouth 22 and the tireless Giles Bristol powered over for a try which Tim Stephens converted to make the score 20-10. A third Avonmouth penalty shortly afterwards extended their lead to 23-10.

The final quarter was all Thornbury as they stretched the Avonmouth defence this way and that, but despite dangerous runs by Rich Bennett, George Maggs and Dai Matthews Thornbury were unable to score.

Thorns continued to run hard and were close to breaking through but on the stroke of 80 minutes George Maggs was tackled close to the Avonmouth line. From the ensuing ruck Evans cut down the narrow side and stretched over for the try. Stephens’ crucial conversion narrowly missed.

Thorns returned to the attack and a deft Liam Rinn cross-kick was taken acrobatically by Adam Hodgkins but Dan Hussey was unable to escape the Avonmouth defence with the line close. Deep in stoppage time Thorns were again close to the line but kicked the ball away into grateful Avonmouth hands and they were able to run the clock down and secure their victory.

Thornbury did themselves and their club justice in a fine match. The game was there for the taking and had the match been five minutes longer they may well have lifted the Combination Cup for the first time.

Thornbury scorers: Tries – Giles Bristol, Jak Evans; Conversion – Tim Stephens; Penalty – Tim Stephens.