Bird hat-trick for title chasers

ADAM Bird scored a hat-trick of tries as unbeaten Thornhill Trojans produced a second-half fightback to keep their Pennine League Division Two title hopes on track.

Sharlston made Thornhill work hard and the visitors hit the front early on when a long kick downfield was assisted by the strong wind.

It caught Thornhill off guard and with no-one at home when the ball went into their in goal area Tommy Mahan claimed the try which Phil Hill converted.

Sharlston’s defence stood firm until the 19th minute when the ball was worked along the line for Scott Green to send Bird in at the corner for an unconverted try.

Thornhill’s cause was hindered when Green was sin- binned for back chat and from the penalty Lee Holmes went on a run to score between the posts.

Phil Hill converted and Sharlston were buzzing with a 12-4 interval lead.

Sustained pressure on the Sharlston try line ended with Scott Woodcock breaking through to score a try between the posts. Mark Hodgson converted.

The turning point was a long range try from Bird after 55 minutes.

With play just inside Sharlston’s half the giant winger broke down the touchline, sprinting clear of the defence on a determined run for a try. Hodgson converted and Thornhill had a lead they did not relinquish.

Adam Hoyle turned back the clock with a vintage performance which saw him make good yards for Thornhill. He crashed over for a try when he latched onto a Woodcock pass. Hodgson added the extras.

Liam Morley also impressed and raced nearly half the field from an Anthony Broadhead pass to score a fine try.

Hodgson added the goal and also converted late on as Chris Woodcock unselfishly sent out a pass to Bird in the in goal area to score his hat-trick try.

Queensbury Under-17 30

Thornhill Under-1714

THORNHILL started the game well holding out Queensbury with good defence from Ryan Lister, Simmonds and Mortimer.

Searby powered his way over from close range to score the first try. Palmer added the goal to see Thornhill 6-0 up.

Queensbury dived over to score on the last tackle to level the scores at 6-6. The home side took the lead with a converted try on half-time.

Thornhill scored a good try by hard-working Pearson. Palmer missed the goal.

Queensbury scored two more tries from the big Queensbury forwards to go 24-10 in front.

Thornhill had to do a lot of defending against a much bigger side however, a break from Tinker saw him race 60 yards to score a good try to lead 24-12.

A late Queensbury try saw them run out 30-14 winners. Hickling, Mortimer and Lister tried hard for Thornhill but Queensbury’s size took its toll.