Trojans triumph in one sided derby clash at Shaw Cross

Thornhill have had some very closely contested games in the opening rounds of the new season but the trip to Shaw Cross was anything but as the Trojans ran out convincing 44-0 winners.

The Trojans clearly wanted victory the most and their superior fitness told the longer the game went on and they outmuscled Shaw Cross in defence.

Thornhill welcomed back Joel Gibson after he had been released by Hunslet during the week and he slotted straight back into the side with ease and took on the kicking duties – an area which the Trojans have been lacking during the opening stage of the season.

Trojans man-of-the-match was Will Poching, one of the former Shaw Cross players now at Thornhill, while Danny Ratcliffe and James Craven also looked dangerous.

The Trojans made their intentions clear after only two minutes when a kick through from Liam Morley was pounced on in the corner by Joss Ratcliffe for an unconverted try.

There was then a flair up as the game looked to be played in the spirit expected of a local derby.

Once order had been restored and Thornhill’s Tom Gledhill had been shown a yellow card, hopes of a keenly contested game faded as the visitors pulled clear.

Gibson marked his return to the club with a well taken try as he collected a pass and showed great pace to race over to score but his conversion attempt bounced off a post.

Just before half-time a chip over from Danny Ratcliffe ended with Gibson completing the move and heading between the posts for his second try and he converted to see the Trojans lead 14-0 at the interval.

The second half was one way traffic as the Shaw Cross players heads began to drop the longer the game went on and six further unanswered tries were scored by the Trojans.

Ben Kendall burst forward on a powerful run. Liam Morley was in support to collect the pass and score between the posts. Gibson converted.

Thornhill substitute Jordan Lowther produced a piece of magic when he gave a shrug of his shoulders to blow the defence wide open and cut through to race over for a glorious solo try. Gibson converted.

Shaw Cross then lost the ball on the Trojans 20 metre line. James Craven picked it up and sprinted 80 metres to the line as no Sharks players attempted to pursue him. Gibson converted.

Craven began a move which led to Thornhill’s next try. The move was continued when George Woodcock got the ball out of the tackle and Joss Ratcliffe collected the pass to go over for the try.

The final try was created by Woodcock when he showed good strength and vision to get a pass out of a tackle to send Morley over and Gibson added conversions to the final two tries.

It was a very good day at the office from the Trojans and they will look to build on this victory for the remainder of the season.