Trojans power into trophy semi-finals

Thornhill Trojans 38

Thornhill Trojans marched into the semi-finals of the Pennine League’s Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy last Saturday with a convincing win over a team one division below them.

After an impeccably observed minute’s silence in memory of Joss Ratcliffe’s daughter who had passed away in the week prior to the game, the Trojans were in good form.

After an early unconverted Underbank score Anthony Harris had a try ruled out for not grounding the ball properly before Thornhill led by MoM Liam Morley hit back.

Johnny Mack made a good break before Morley ran strongly before Jake Ratcliffe sent out a lofted pass to his brother Joss Ratcliffe who stepped through the defence for an unconverted try.

Thornhill led as Rob Kelly took play deep before Simon Walker bounced off tacklers to go over for another unconverted score. Sustained pressure paid dividends when Anthony Broadhead sent Scott Green powering over while soon after Walker broke away as the defence evaporated as he strode over to score.

After half an hour Craig Holmes flipped a pass into the path of Jack Stead and he dived over for a try between the posts which Holmes converted before a superb last-ditch tackle by Sam Ratcliffe denied Steven Woodcock after a rare home raid.

Good handling saw Woodcock finally notch Underbank’s second try while just before the break Mack darted clear from a scrum between the posts for a try and Holmes converted for a 28-8 lead.

Thornhill maintained the upper hand after the break and a classy raid by Morley saw him bamboozle the defence for a fine try which Holmes converted.

Underbank profited from a penalty as Mark Hirst touched down and Matthew Franks added the goal. But the Trojans had the last word as good support saw Scott Green find Joss Ratcliffe who forced the ball down to score an unconverted try and set up a home semi-final with Selby Warriors.

n Thornhill’s Under-17s had a deserved 26-18 win over Greetland.

Defences were on top early on until Brett Simmonds powered over for a close range try.

Greetland drew level before pressure brought a try for MoM Kyle Hammond, goaled by Jake Hickling to give Thornhill a 10-4 half-time lead.

Greetland got back into the game with a try before Hammond scored his second, goaled by Carter.Greetland added a converted try to close the gap to two points but Billy Pearson gave Thornhill the edge, again converted by Palmer.

Victory was sealed with a Ryan Tinker try before Greetland scored a late consolation. Clough, Mortimer, Lister and Ryan tackled well along with Carter and Hammond. Greensmith and Bendikas made good yards.