Eastmoor Dragons 12-10 Thornhill Trojans
A first half brace of tries from Eastmoor's flying winger Michael Brown condemned Thornhill Trojans to their first defeat of the new National Conference League season. With pace to burn Brown simply left Thornhill defenders clutching at thin air as he sped away to make the most of Eastmoor's best scoring opportunities of the game.
The form of Michael Brown has clearly been a key factor in Eastmoor's impressive opening to what is their debut season in the Premier Division. However, take the winger's pace out of the equation and there was little to show between the two teams.
Both teams had big packs of forwards with Thornhill Trojans' James Folan and Scott Woodcock catching the eye as they made good ground for the visitors. Matthew Roberts also ran well out wide and made a number of telling raids for the try line. Jason Firth also looked dangerous at loose forward with some well timed runs.
It was Thornhill who first came close to scoring in the game when a fine attacking move was thwarted when Jason Firth lost the ball over the line. But then like a bolt out of the blue, Michael Brown started a flowing attacking move down the wing for Eastmoor. Brown's initial break was continued by Adrian Mulcahy and then Andrew Philips. With the Thornhill defence frantically back pedalling the ball was switched to Michael Brown who then went for glory and touched down for an unconverted try. This was a well taken try by Eastmoor that quite simply unpicked the Thornhill defence.
But Thornhill tried to hit back and Rob Copley came agonising close to scoring when he latched onto a kick from Scott Dyson. Copley was however held short of the try line.
Just as Thornhill were looking to make headway the run of play quickly changed as Phil Hodgson broke away. The ball was quickly switched inside to Micheal Brown and he used his pace to stride away and go over for a try. Leigh Joyce converted to see the Dragons hold a 10-0 interval lead.
Thornhill lost influential hooker Richard Pachniuk with a leg injury at half time and this forced a reshuffle with veteran forward Vinny Johnson entering the arena.
It looked at though there might be a way back for Thornhill when Eastmoor's Jamie Barraclough was sent off for kicking. Straight after this dismissal Thornhill got their first score of the game. A good drive from James Folan put Thornhill in a good field position. Then man of the match Liam Morley broke away towards the posts on a jinking run. Morley switched the ball to the supporting Craig Holmes to go over for a try between the posts. Craig Holmes converted.
But then Thornhill lost their extra man advantage when Scott Dyson was sent to the sin bin for questioning the referee's decision not to give a 40:20 kick in Thornhill's favour.
It was on Dyson's return to action that Thornhill once again fell back into their stride. An off load from Chris Walker found Johnny Campbell out on the wing. With play still on the first tackle and just inside Thornhill's half of the field Campbell bravely opted to kick forward. The ball bobbled at speed down the wing. Campbell gave chase, picked up the ball and went over for a glorious individual try. The goal was missed and crucially moments later Thornhill were awarded a penalty when Eastmoor ripped the ball.
However, instead of going for goal to level the score Thornhill opted to run the ball. Everything was thrown at the Eastmoor defence. At one point Matthew Roberts looked to have forced his way over the line but Eastmoor held him up.
When the referee blew for time Eastmoor celebrated a hard earned win. For Thornhill this was their first defeat of the new season and they must now regroup and prepare for the visit of East Hull to Overthorpe Parkon Saturday.
Report by Andrew Byram
MATCH FACTS
(Black & Red)
1) Jamie Barraclough
2) Stephen Harber
3) Leigh Joyce 2 Goals
4) Andrew Phillips
5) Michael Brown 2 Tries
6) Adrian Mulcahy
7) Kevin Brown
8) Philip Hodgson
9) Craig Lovelock
10) Adam Endersby
11) Andrew Fisher
12) Malcolm Kellett
13) Stuart Turton
Subs:
14) Tom Fountain
15) Mathew Rogers
16) Stephen Hall
17) James Ganley
(White with blue and red trim)
1) Craig Holmes 1 Try & 1 Goal
2) Johnny Campbell 1 Try
3) Rob Copley
4) Scott Redgwick
5) Andy Peacock
6) Scott Dyson
7) Liam Morley
8) Scott Woodcock
9) Richard Pachniuk
10) Rob Carruthers
11) Matthew Roberts
12) Lee Schofield
13) Jason Firth
Subs:
14) Chris Walker
15) James Folan
16) Vinny Johnson
17) Lee Smith
Referee – Paul Stockman (Selby)
Sent off – Jamie Barraclough (Eastmoor) 51 minutes for kicking
Sin Bin – Scott Dyson (Thornhill) 55 minutes for back chat
Man of the match – Adam Endersley (Eastmoor) & Liam Morley (Trojans)