THORNHILL v SOUTH LONDON CHALLENGE CUP REPORT

South London Storm's 3rd Cup run began on Saturday with a visit to Thornhill Trojans of the National Conference League. With the Trojans at the business end of their season the South London team arrived in Yorkshire as an unknown quantity as this was for them their first competitive outing of their season.

However, after a whirlwind opening from Storm the home team's match practice eventually told and Thornhill took their place in the draw for the next round.

It was inside the games opening minute that South London broke down the Thornhill defence. Straight from a scrum down a series of slick off loads in the tackle had the Trojans back pedalling. Eventually the try line came within South London's reach and Thornhill were left asking all the questions as centre Darren Bartley went over for a try which he converted himself.

Thornhill's try haul continued when Jason Firth broke clear and put Rob Copley away on a run. Copley made good ground before crossing for an unconverted try.

Storm's defence was made to work hard with strong tackling from Donny Varcoe and Gav Hill especially, but the Trojans continually battered the Storm defensive line. Such strong running was instrumental in making ground for Matthew Roberts to run onto a pass and go over for his second try of the game. Roberts touched down between the posts and Craig Holmes converted.

Storm's defence continued its hard work with debutants Chris King and Bryce Watson making their mark from the bench. Gavin Hill was controversially sin binned for persistent holding down and straight after Scott Dyson chipped forward towards the in goal area, followed his own kick and pounced to score an unconverted try.

It was still while the visitors were down to twelve men that George Mack intercepted a pass on the twenty-meter mark. Mack set off at terrific pace to cover eighty meters and cross for an unconverted try.

Just on half time more strong line tackling from the storm forwards lead by the Clarke brothers Adrian and Chris was forced to concede a penalty which resulted in Scott Redgwick going over for an unconverted try in the corner.

The second half started in the best possible way for Thornhill when South London lost the ball in a one on one situation. After gaining possession Liam Morley sped off towards the try line. Morley crossed for a try, which Craig Holmes converted. This try was quickly followed by another by George Mack to allow him to cross for a try. Holmes converted.

But then remarkably now trailing by forty points, instead of buckling the South London team began to mount a come back with some almighty running from second rower Donny Varcoe as he proved to be a real handful for the Trojans tacklers. Eventually Donny Varcoe caused the Thornhill defence to crack and he powered over for a try, which Darren Bartley converted.

The South London team once again came at Thornhill with some strong running. The Thornhill defence again couldn't hold out with Rich Singleton off loading the running of Col Pritchard off the bench, Gavin Hill went over for a try. Darren Bartley converted.

With South London suddenly taking a hold on the flow of play Thornhill scored against the run of play Copley broke away and covered over half the length of the field to score a try, which Craig Holmes converted.

The final try of the game went to Thornhill as Richard Pachniuk went over for a try which Craig Holmes converted.

The South London team left Overthorpe Park beaten but by no means disgraced as the Trojans progressed into the next round. The winner on this occasion was Rugby League.

"It was a sterling performance by the lads," commented Paul Brown the South London Chairman. "They held out and continued to pressurize the Thornhill team right until the end. You couldn't have asked for more out of the new look team with debutants and after only training for 4 weeks. I couldn't have asked for more and the team can hold their heads up high."

Teams:

Thornhill Trojans: J Campbell, R Copley, M Roberts, C Holmes, S Redgwick, L Morley, G Mack, J Folan, S Dyson, L Schofield, S Woodcock, A Broadhead, J Firth Subs: D Lee, S Davies, D Annakin, R Pachniuk.

South London Storm: T Kingi, J Murdoch, J Moore, D Bartley, C Lomasney, C Guthrie, A Gilvary, G Hill, L Bonner, C Clark, D Varcoe, A Clark, R Singleton Subs: C Pritchard, B Watson, C King, R Pitchfork

Published on www.rleague.com February 6th 2007