Trojans maintain promotion push with hard-fought win over Ince

Thornhill Trojans were pushed all the way by a very enthusiastic and youthful Ince Rose Bridge team before running out 22-8 winners to maintain their promotion push in National Conference League Division One last Saturday.
Danny Ratcliffe grabbed a decisive try fvollowing a solo run as Thornhill Trojans maintained their promotion push in National Conference League Division One with victory over Ince Rose Bridge last Saturday.Danny Ratcliffe grabbed a decisive try fvollowing a solo run as Thornhill Trojans maintained their promotion push in National Conference League Division One with victory over Ince Rose Bridge last Saturday.
Danny Ratcliffe grabbed a decisive try fvollowing a solo run as Thornhill Trojans maintained their promotion push in National Conference League Division One with victory over Ince Rose Bridge last Saturday.

For long periods the visitors seemed to out enthuse the Trojans and a couple of late tries possibly gave a winning margin which flattered Thornhill.

The Trojans had several players missing due to injury and other commitments.

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This meant a recall to the team for Joss Ratcliffe, Ryan Fenton, Andrew Lambert and Will Poching.

There was also a first start for Declan Tomlinson who has impressed for Thornhill A in recent weeks.

Stand out players for Thornhill were Jake Wilson, who took on the added responsibility of goal kicker during the game, man-of-the-match Danny Ratcliffe and Liam Morley, who all tried valiantly to break down a well drilled Ince team.

Thornhill were given a rude awakening early in the game when Ince Rose Bridge carved the Trojans defence wide open with a strong attacking move.

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It looked as though the Ince full-back had gone over for the opening score but Thornhill were let off when the referee disallowed the score due to a forward pass.

Thornhill quickly responded by scoring a well worked try as good handling saw the ball travel along the attacking line.

Tomlinson received the ball and with a subtle shrug of his shoulders, dummied his way through the Ince defensive line to cross for a try which George Woodcock converted.

But then poor defending from Thornhill allowed the visitors back into the game.

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Ince took advantage of good field position and put up a kick to the corner. Winger Luke Findlow collected the ball and scored a try in the corner.

Tempers boiled over and once order had been restored Brad Smith kicked the goal.

A long range penalty goal then gave Ince a two point lead.

Thornhill tried desperately to recover their lead in the run up to half-time but they kept dropping the ball in key areas of the field and on one occasion the ball was passed into touch.

The half-time break could come quickly enough to allow Thornhill to regroup and reconsider their actions.

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As the second half got underway Thornhill got the try they needed to restore their advantage and give their confidence a boost.

Danny Ratcliffe kicked the ball towards the line and Will Geldhill finished the move by scoring an unconverted try.

The game then became something of an arm wrestle with neither side backing down as Thornhill defended their 10-8 lead.

Danny Ratcliffe went on a glorious solo run, taking possession of the ball and ducked under the defensive line to race away over for a great try. Jake Wilson converted.

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Ince then had scrum half Kieran Eccleston sin binned for dissent and provided Thornhill with the advantage they needed to secure the victory.

In the final minute, the ball was worked out to Casey Johnson. With a shrug of his shoulders Johnson beat his marker and went over for a try.

Wilson converted and Thornhill were allowed to finally celebrate a hard earned victory.