Thornhill’s title ambitions dealt blow by Drighlington

Sam Ratcliffe scored a second half try for Thornhill but the Trojans brave effort was in vain as they slipped to a narrow defeat.

fightback, Thornhill ran out of time and left themselves too much to do having trailed 18-0 at half-time.

Drighlington capitalised on several Thornhill errors in the opening exchanges as full-back Tom Moorby scored and Josh Milner converted.

Danny Ratcliffe was sin-binned for speaking out of turn to referee Tony Martin and it was while Thornhill were down to 12 men that Drighlington scored their second try.

Centre Kevin Doyle beat two Thornhill defenders and went around the full-back to go over for a try which Milner converted.

Milner kicked forward and regathered to score a try that he goaled and Thornhill had a large task on their hands.

Thornhill put up a terrific fight in the second half with man-of-the-match Luke Haigh leading the way.

Thornhill’s second half revival was given a kick start with the sin binning of Drighlington’s Ben Kitchinman for a professional foul.

The extra man advantage proved crucial as Danny Ratcliffe sent out a wonderful pass out to the wing.

The ball was collected by Sam Ratcliffe and he sprinted 40 metres down the wing to score an unconverted try.

Haigh charged over for a try from close range and Sam Ratcliffe converted.

Danny Ratcliffe flipped the ball backwards to Morley, who in turn sent out a pass to Jason Firth to go over for an unconverted try.

Thornhill continued to battle but conceded a penalty two minutes from time which presented Milner with the opportunity to kick a goal and secure the victory. The revival was good for Thornhill’s supporters while it lasted but in the end the Trojans never gave themselves any real chance after a slow start and they have now lost ground on leaders Hunslet Parkside Club.