Leigh East V Thornhill Trojans Review

19 Apr 2016 in News

Leigh East V Thornhill Trojans Review Leigh East V Thornhill Trojans Review

Thornhill Trojans 36 

Leigh East 4 

Saturday 16th April 2016 

Thornhill Trojans pulled off a stunning victory, which even their most ardent followers probably wouldn’t have predicted. The game was practically over within the first half hour as east inform half back pairing of Ike Watene and Adam Holland had to leave the field of play with hip and hamstring injuries respectively and east…. having missed several one on one tackles had allowed the Trojans to race into an eighteen points to zero lead. 

East travelled to Overthorpe Park as the unbeaten league leaders, whilst the Trojans had produced some below par performances in their previous two outings. Therefore, the margin of victory and the manner in which the Trojans executed their performance was one that will not sit well with coach Paul Wingfield and his young but ambitious east side. 

The foundation for the victory was a solid first half showing. Man of the match Ben Kendall stood firm against a lacklustre east pack and two Danny Ratcliffe tries sealed some basic and direct set up play. 

First over the try line was Jake Wilson who finished a strong attack from the Trojans. Wilson used his strength to twist his way over and plant the ball down for a try. Andrew Bates converted.

The Trojans continued to attack and Danny Ratcliffe broke clear to race around the outside of the Leigh East defence. The scrum half took play back in field to touch down for a try between the posts. Andrew Bates converted.

The next Thornhill try was created by winger Mindaugas Bendikas. Bendikas made a surge for the try line but was held up on his back. The referee took play back and then Anthony Harris made no mistake as he plunged through some stationary east defenders and over for a try. With Andrew Bates off the field nursing a shoulder injury Sam Ratcliffe took over the kicking duties to convert the try.

On the half hour mark Thornhill were awarded a penalty and completed their whirlwind start to the game by running the ball. Danny Ratcliffe raced past three wood be defenders and dived over for a try. Sam Ratcliffe converted. At twenty four nil Thornhill were buzzing and heading for an unexpected runaway victory.

After several enforced changes due mainly to injuries east did settle down and for the last ten minutes of the first half started to edge their way back into the game. Centre Sam Grainy ran hard and direct to beat the Thornhill defence for an unconverted try. With Adam Holland now off the field, it was Tom Worthington that missed the conversion from the right edge. 

Having fought their back into the game a penalty goal early in the second half for the Trojans, taken with confidence by Sam Ratcliffe, kept the scoreboard ticking over but then a wonderful piece of opportunism from Liam Morley killed the game as a contest. With play 20 meters from the Leigh East try line, Morley picked up the ball from the acting half position. Morley sensed the opportunity and went on a solo run to hunt out an opening before planting the ball down for an unconverted try.

With Thornhill now back in control and heading for victory the game’s final score came from flying winger Mindaugas Bendikas. Jake Wilson sent out a super pass out to the wing. The pass was weighted perfectly for Bendikas to collect and storm 40 meters to score his 11th try of the season. Sam Ratcliffe converted. 

East will need to bounce back quickly and hope that some injured troops can recover for the tough trip to Askam this weekend. 

 

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