Dinosaurs win tough contest

Second half territory proves decisive

Both sides had large squads for Lions Captain, Rich Parsons retirement game. Thorney won the toss and chose to take early advantage of the wind. The Dino's broke through down the left wing for Chris Towers to power through tackles and get an early try which Nic Dobie neatly converted. Thorney fought back with a penalty to make it 7-3 before their massive pack exerted some early dominance to take the lead through a lineout and driving maul from 15 metres out. In the second half Thorney repeated their earlier effort with another driving maul to make it 7-13 before centre Dan Young, returning from a long injury lay off cut through their defence on a superb right to left line to bring the score back to within 1 point with a fantastic conversion from out wide by Nic Dobie putting the Dino's back in front. By now the Dino's pack were starting to match the Thorney (cum Lions/Borough) pack and their pressure forced a penalty in kicking range which stand off Dobie again slotted. Debutante Dino Matt Heaton in his first game for 4 years powered down the left wing to score in the corner with another conversion from Nic Dobie stretched the lead to 24-13. Following some slick interchanges down the right led by Kelvin Squires Dino's centre Chris 'Farmer' Owen was well in and over the try line but managed to drop the ball as he was tackled to the floor. Try of the day came late in the second half with tight head prop Clint Bell powering down the left wing and smashed through a desperate least ditch tackle to score in the corner from a hotly disputed distance out! Nic Dobie finally showed he was human by narrowly missing the conversion attempt. Thorney broke through the centre late on for a consolation try but it was too little too late as the Dino's won 29-18.This was a fantastic team performance from the Dino's with superb defence in the first half as Thorney looked to exploit the strong breeze but they were repeatedly pushed back by powerful tackles from the likes of Gareth Henderson, Stu McCabe and Chris Towers. A good win in a tough match that was enjoyed by all.