Thorney move to 2nd in the league

A 20 man Thorney squad set off for their second visit to Cambridge to face a Cantabs side that earlier in the week only had 16 players with no front row meaning, the game would be played with uncontested scrums. However, on arrival it came to light that they only had 13 but scrums would be contested as they pulled a front row together. Thorney did provide Cantabs with 2 players (Matt Neal & Ronnie Kilby) meaning that it would be 15 v 15.

From the off the village side started strongly moving the ball and as last week, finding space to allow speedster Michael Croucher to score his 1st try of the match, converted by Owen Davies. This was soon followed by a well worked try from Tom Deplancke again converted by Davies (0-14 after 7 minutes). Cantabs kept pressuring but some stout defence meant they made little inroads and couldn't use their possession. It was Marcus Bradshaw who was next on the score board followed by a jinking run and try from scrum-half Damien King (both converted by Davies) that tipped the score to 0-33 after 40 minutes.

After some rejigging, Thorney started the second half as the first with forwards and backs linking well and it was skipper Dave Crooke who crossed the white wash (con Davies) swiftly followed by Michael Croucher scoring his second of the game with some excellent football skills to kick the ball several times up the pitch and the final bounce sitting the ball up for an easy try 0-45.

Unfortunately several Cantabs players were picking up injuries and Thorney emptied their bench to help them out with Ryan Shayler, Marcus Bradshaw, Alberto Lucas and Reggie Kilby all stepping up and playing for them.

Thorney's pressure continued and two more converted trys came from winger Nathan and Damien King (hat-trick). To their credit Cantabs worked their way up the pitch and scored 5-59. Thorney responded with a try from Steff Almond 5-66 before Marcus Bradshaw scored for the opposition (or did he??) 12-66. Leo Sheeve-Peacock finished the try fest for Thorney with the game being called after 65 minutes or so due to more Cantbas injuries. The game ended 12-73. Man of the Match went to Josh Gilbert for putting in a great performance in the scrums, breakdowns and around the park.

Next week sees the Navy & Gold on the road again to Shelford RFC for their last away game in Cambridge before their 1st home match against Mildenhall & Red Lodge RUFC.