Tribute South West One West

North Petherton 6 Thornbury 38

NORTH Petherton were undone by a sharp and clinical Thornbury side, who look set to finish in the top two come the end of the season, writes Simon Freeman.

Thornbury played with confidence throughout and looked dangerous throughout, while Petherton battled continuously and didn't play badly - they just did play well enough for any length of time.

Pethy captain Damian Griffin was full of praise for Thorns, but said his side must cut out the unforced errors currently holding them back.

He said: “We just could not compete with the pace and physicality of Thornbury - I think they were the best team we've played this season, though all there tries came from turnovers off our mistakes.

“We took too long to play any kind of rugby and by then it was too late.

“We lost due to our own frustration really - the more the game went on, the angrier we got with ourselves and mistakes kept happening more regularly.

“This was another wake up call to the lads, which showed that's what's going to happen if we don't train all together.

“We have a very hard game next week, a long way away which we will all be glad to get over and done with, but still have to travel there with a positive attitude.”

The early stages belonged to the visitors who regularly made breaks from midfield and always seemed to have a man on hand to secure ball or make a decisive pass.

Pethy had to rely on last ditch tackles, but could only last for so long.

Thornbury took the lead with a converted try, but Pethy bounced back and did have opportunities.

The forwards worked hard but lacked the cohesion to strive the extra few yards.

The only reward the home team gained was a Harry Roberts penalty, before Thornbury had went three quarters the length of the field for a breakaway try.

In the 35th minute the score read 3-12, but by half time the lively visitors had extended the lead to 3-26.

Pethy started the second half with some strong tackling, but this never really unsettled Thornbury who generally looked in control and skilfully played their way around the field. The home team still created chances and on a couple of occasions only the bounce of the ball prevented scores.

The visitors scored two more tries to reflect the control they had, for Pethy it is back to the hard work in training and now recognising the position they are in.

Pethy travel to league leaders Camborne on Saturday.