Thorne keeps his cool to seal narrow win over Centralians

THE reliable boot of Dan Thorne again proved vital for Newbury Blues this week.

With the scores locked at 20-20 against Old Centralians and less than five minutes remaining, fly-half Thorne kept his cool to drill over a penalty and seal Blues’ second successive win in Regional 2 Tribute Ale Severn.

The five kicks Thorne put over were not easy in the sodden conditions, but they were decisive.

There were other creditable performances and player of the match Dave Barber, new to Blues this year, had an outstanding game.

Having now played 80 minutes in all three games, Barber’s presence in the second row has supported the scrum and he also put in a monumental defensive effort.

Blues made another sluggish start and again found themselves 5-0 down almost from the kick off.

But after 10 minutes Thorne kicked his first penalty and, as the rain lashed down, soon after a fantastic scrum effort pushed back the visitors pack and Will Osborne touched down under the posts.

Thorne kicked the conversion to make the score 10-5 and at this point Blues were looking good value for the lead.

However, the visitorsbrought the scores level just before half-time with a breakaway try from 60 yards out.

The sides traded penalties, but then the Gloucester side hit the front again with their third try to take the score to 20-13 with 20 minutes remaining.

Blues then survived a period of ferocious pressure when a try at that stage could have won the match for the visitors.

But the momentum shifted in Blues favour and from inside Blues’ 22 Ben Hurford John collected a loose ball and sprinted the length of the field to score his seventh try in three matches.

That is some strike rate and the young man from Telford, part of the Army under 23 set- up, is a threat whenever he gets the ball.

Thorne kicked the conversion and once again the scores were level going into the last five minutes.

Then Thorne stepped up again to deliver the killer blow and seal the points for Blues.

Blues coach James McAvoy hailed his players’ attitude in difficult conditions and said: “We would have lost that match at 20-13 down in the past.

“The key to the win was Dan’s boot – kicking the penalties was the sensible thing to do in the conditions.

“We do need to sort out the kick-off returns, though, as we looked a bit shaky under the restarts.

“That’s twice we’ve conceded in the first five minutes and it’s something we need to look at.”

McAvoy added: “The scrum was fantastic again and was dominant throughout.

“Dave Barber was man of the match and he has been immense since joing from Andover.

“What has been pleasing for me is that although the squad numbers are not what we would want them to be, the boys who have been playing are totally committed.

“We have people fighting for every position, which is great.”

Blues have a week off before they return to action at Thornbury on October 4.