Weston U16s V Thornbury

The season has started early for Weston U16s, with a first game on the first day of the season, away at Thornbury. Even with a decent pre-season behind them, it was always going to be a tough assignment for the pretty inexperienced Weston side. It was agreed that it would be a trial match, with all of the squad players getting game time, but even so it proved to be a tough first outing of the season which the Weston boys came through with great credit.

Weston started brightly, competing strongly at the breakdown but were soon on the back foot as the strong Thornbury pack made meters. Despite some great defence, especially from the recently returned from long term injury Harry Wills, the hosts eventually scored the first try of the day through their rumbling pack.

It was then the guests turn to apply some pressure and a series of penalties by the hosts kept them pinned inside their 22. Eventually, it was a kick to the corner, followed by a slick lineout routine which gave the backs decent ball and Ethan Norris was put through a gap and was unstoppable for his first try for Weston, having moved in the closed season from Bridgwater. Ollie Dadds added the conversion to take it to 7-7.
Thornbury worked hard up the hill and regained the lead, but Weston again asserted pressure, forcing more penalties until, from a quick tap, it looked like first Ollie Dadds and then Jayden Hood might get over the line, however it was Keanu Ballard, in close support as ever, who did eventually dot down, and with Ollie Dadds adding the extra 2, the first session ended 14-14.

A significant change of personnel, meant the visitors had to reset at the start of the second period and gave up early space to the home side. This allowed their big outside runners space which they hadn’t previously enjoyed and, despite a valiant effort by Dylan Carter to halt them with his face, the home side went over in the corner to lead 19-14.

They followed this shortly afterwards with a second try, this time an interception and the home side led 24 – 14 at the end of the second period.

The final session started with yet another shift of personnel and it was Weston who posed all the questions early on, applying pressure to the Thornbury line which was only thwarted by last ditch defence.

Thornbury were eventually able to clear their lines and from the resulting line out, Fin Simpson found the smallest of holes to jink through before off loading to Will Bamsey who burst through in trademark fashion and thought he had scored under the posts. However, it was chalked off by the eagle eyed linesman, who saw a toe over the dead ball line.

This clearly bolstered the home side, who had been under pressure and they were able to work their way up field and they were gifted a second try from an interception suddenly moving into a healthy 29-14 lead across the day.

Weston were undaunted and continued to press. The pack worked hard to provide a platform with strong running from the likes of Dom Hawkins and great hands from the backs, notably a slick pass by Jayden Hood which put Max Gregory into space and heading for the line. He was bundled into touch on the line. From the scrum, Weston put the far bigger Thornbury pack under pressure and the ball squirted out of the base. Fin Simpson darted through and onto the ball to touch down, bringing the score back to 29-19.

Despite further spirited work from the visitors and more continued pressure, the hosts held out.

Across the three sessions, two were drawn and the third won by Thornbury. Special mention to the back row of Alex Sandford, Keanu Ballard and Ellis Rogers and hooker Jack Groom who led the defence, making tackle after tackle to frustrate what could have become the dominant Thornbury pack.

Overall, a really credible start for the visiting side and a great basis for the team to build on in the coming weeks.