NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 7TH MARCH 2020
THORNHILL TROJANS 32 STANNINGLEY 8
AT OVERTHORPE PARK
Thornhill Trojans kicked off their 2020 National Conference League campaign in impressive style with this convincing victory over Stanningley.
Although far from faultless, this was a performance which showed that the Trojans mean business for the new league season. The margin of victory could have been far greater had Thornhill been able to convert more of their seven tries.
Man of the match for the 4th successive game was the inform Casey Johnson. The loose forward leadership qualities were there for all to see and he weighed in with a try of his own.
There was also an impressive performance from Jake Wilson with some strong in play running. Debutant Jordan Ward also caught the eye with a confident performance.
The Trojans opened the scoring with a try from Matthew Tebb when some quick thinking from acting half saw the hooker burrow over for a try from close range. The goal was missed.
This try was swiftly cancelled out with a well taken try from Stanningley. An off load in the tackle picked out Niall Murphy wonderfully. Murphy took the pass and sprinted through a gap to go over for an unconverted try.
Matthew Tebb then became try creator when he managed to slip the ball out of the tackle to the supporting Rye Ward. The youngster showed great awareness to take the pass on dive over for a try which Casey Johnson converted.
The longer the half wore on the more Thornhill began to hold the upper hand and as play reached the half hour mark Will Geldhill plunged over for an unconverted try in the corner.
Thornhill came out for the second half leading 14-4 and the introduction of Jordan Ward gave their play further direction. It was a courageous run from Jordan Ward towards the try line which saw him bounce off a couple of would be defenders. Ward’s determination close to the line paid off and he went through a gap to score an unconverted try.
The second half scoring continued when Liam Morley wound back the clock to score a vintage try. Morley took the ball and with a sudden burst of pace went on a direct run which saw him pick his way through the Stanningley defence. Morley scored the try and Casey Johnson converted.
Midway through the second half Stanningley made a break down the wing. Despite a couple of desperate last ditch tackles from Thornhill, Carl McGuigan managed to ground the ball and score an unconverted try.
However, this proved to be too late in the game for Stanningley to mount any serious come back and when Jordan Lowther took play close to the try line the pressure was on again. Lowther caused a back to one situation right on the try line, Thornhill played on and Casey Johnson went over for an unconverted try.
The final try of the game was created when George Woodcock combined with Jake Wilson. Space was created in the corner and Sam Ratcliffe went over for an unconverted try.
A great opening day victory for the Trojans with plenty of positives to reflect on.

1. George Woodcock 19. Sam Ratcliffe 3. Will Gledhill 4. Harry Woollard 5. Ross Roebuck 6. Liam Morley 7. Luke Haigh 8. Jake Wilson 9. Matthew Tebb 10. Anthony Harris 11. Rye Ward 20. Jamie Searby 13. Casey Johnson
Subs : 14. Jordan Lowther 15. Jordan Ward 16. Josh Gearey 12. Anthony Slater
Tries : Sam Ratcliffe , Will Gledhill, Liam Morley, Matthew Tebb, Rye Ward, Casey Johnson, Jordan Ward
Goals : Casey Johnson (2)
Man of the Match : Casey Johnson