However on 27 minutes Thornhill did get their act together and scored their first converted try , followed almost immediately by try number two three minutes later, which was also converted. However from this point on Oulton took the game by the scruff of the neck and scored two converted tries of their own.

This pattern continued throughout the rest of the game with Thornhill never getting nearer than ten points behind the eventual winners Oulton. The final score being that ten point’s difference at the close, a score of 30-40, being a fair reflection of the game.

Oulton received a cheque for £500 after the game, presented by the Thornhill President John Redgwick. Man of the Match for Oulton was Billy Kershaw who stood head and shoulders above the rest of his team and for Thornhill it was a shared award between Scott Green and Anthony Broadhead.

Ex Rams boss Andy Kelly in all star action

On a day of wildly varying weather conditions, it started overcast and raining, then finished in brilliant sunshine, with a magnificent display of lightning, centred somewhere over Ossett, in the middle of the game, Thornhill Trojans took on GB All Stars in a game of touch and pass.

The GB all stars were set up in 2008 with the idea of bringing ex players back together to tour the UK playing exhibition matches for various charities. David Topliss was set to make his debut for the Great Britain All Stars today. The game is a sophisticated type of touch and pass, with supposedly no body contact, however Garry Schofield had to withdraw from the game due to a broken rib sustained in a match a couple of weeks ago. (Its a tough game is touch and pass)

The game stayed in the All Stars half of the field for the next few minutes and saw the Trojans go in for the first score to go four points clear after ten minutes of play. The obvious experience of the All Stars at this type of game then came to the fore and with many of the old ball handling skills and slick off loads and long looping passes out to the wings that were all part of their game a few years ago, the All Stars then ran in seven or eight tries without reply.

The score becoming irrelevant as the crowd were kept entertained by the old timers. My man of the match was Tommy Martin who seems to have lost none of his speed or ability with the ball. Well done to everybody that took part in a very enjoyable match and a special mention must be made to the referee Colin Morris who I'm sure enjoyed the game as much as the players. In the Clubhouse after the game many items such as shirts signed balls etc. were auctioned of by the host club and a sum of well over £1000 was raised with the proceeds going towards two special busts of Toppo to be presented to Hull FC and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

We, at Thornhill, hope that this match can become an annual fixture in our calendar and we would once again like to thank the All Stars for entertaining us on this Saturday afternoon at Overthorpe Park.

All match photos here

Article written by Tim Robson

The purpose of this game is to raise funds for The All Stars Foundation. All entrance money, collections and raffles will go towards the All Stars Foundation. In addition the Thornhill players are each being sponsored to play in the game. The Legends Squad will be selected from.

Graeme Hallas
Jason Critchley
Paul Newlove
Paul Loughlin
Darren Abrahm
Tommy Martyn (c)
Neil Holding
Wayne Jackson
Richard Gunn
Paul Forber
Paul Dixon
Andy Kelly
David Heron
Garry Schofield
David Hulme
Gary Divorty
Jon Aston
Adam Hughes
We also Have Colin Morris to ref the game.

Thornhill are hoping as many Rugby League supporters will attend the game and help raise as much money as possible for this good cause.
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THORNHILL TROJANS 2007/08 AWARD WINNERS
 

A packed Thornhill Sports & Community Centre saw Thornhill Trojans host their annual awards and presentation evening. The evening was compared by the Malcolm Lord in his own inimitable style. The evening kicked off with an Indian Buffet and then Club President John Redgwick lead the proceedings:

1^st Team (National Conference League)

Player of the Year – Johnny Campbell                 

Players Player of the Year – Richard Pachniuk     

Supporters Player of the Year – Richard Pachniuk   

Flat Top Twitchers Man Of Steel –    Richard Pachniuk

Most Improved Player – Anthony Harris   

‘A’ Team (Pennine League)

Player of the Year – Chris Walker     

Players Player of the Year – Lee Smith   

Supporters Player of the Year – Adam Redgwick 

Most Improved – Scott Mortimer  

Under 18’s

Player of the Year – Scott Craven

Players Player of the Year –Nick Stubley

Most Improved Player – Nick Stubley 

Clubman – Paul Hutton   

Lee Lyman Award – Richard Wood 

Club Awards

Roy Harrison Trophy – Club Man of the Year – Vinnie Johnson 

Ted Coates Memorial Award – Ged Brentnall   

Rod Brook Award – Gary Coyle   

Stanley Gath Memorial Award – Scott Dyson  

John Bragg Memorial Award – John Redgwick