Thornensians win Yorkshire Silver Trophy

Producing one of their best performances under coach John Pearce, they avenged two league defeats against the newly-crowned Yorkshire Two champions.

Pontefract dominated the first half hour but all they had to show for their efforts was an early converted try and a 25th minute penalty due mainly to some dogged defending by the Doncaster side – centre Dean Roberts saving a certain try.

Although his pack had given a good account of themselves, Pearce sent on big No 8 Ryan Pilley and robust hooker Scott Berry and both made immediate impacts and Thorne finished the half on top.

When Pontefract had a player sin-binned on 35 minutes Thornensians took their chance and Pilley picked up the ball from the back of a five-metre scrum and dived over for a try converted by fly-half Tom Holt.

Pontefract’s indiscipline led to them having a man sent off just before the break.

Thorne, who paid the price for a poor start to the season when finishing second bottom despite some impressive results in the second half of the campaign, failed to capitalise on their two-man advantage – though there were chances at both ends in the third quarter.

But they got their noses in front on 61 minutes with a repeat of his first try by Pilley. Holt’s conversion made it 14-10.

Pontefract regained the lead five minutes from time while Thorne’s Rob Raper was in the sin-bin.

But Thorne were not done and wing Luke Mardsen put them ahead again with a 78th minute converted try from a pin-point kick by Holt.

Pontefract finished strongly and went close on several occasions but Thorne held out to claim a famous win.