Thornhill’s good run this season’s National Cup came to an abrupt end with this disappointing display. Division One side Wath Brow Hornets made the long journey down from Cumbria clearly on a mission to progress into the semi finals.

A stuttering performance from the Trojans was too little resistance to prevent the Hornets emerging from this tie victorious.

The key to this victory for the Hornets was the way in which they adapted their game to the blustery conditions.

Strong, swirling winds blew around Overthorpe Park for the duration of this cup tie. The Cambrians made good use of the wind, particularly in the first half as with it behind them, they piled the pressure on Thornhill.

With the wind behind them in the second half and playing down the slope Thornhill failed to use the elements to their advantage and were guilty of putting simple passes to ground far too often and far too early in the tackle count.

Substitute Scott Green finds himself upended.

Man of the match for Thornhill was once again full back Johnny Campbell. Having been nominated as Thornhill’s man of the match in six out of Thornhill’s last seven games, Campbell is clearly going through a rich vein of personal form. Campbell’s in field running as he joined the attacking line was at times electrifying. But it was also on defence that Campbell excelled pulling off a string of try saving one on one tackles.

Shane Davies also caught the eye in the Thornhill ranks with some almighty runs into the big Cumbrian pack. Lee Schofield also tried valiantly in what at times seemed like a lost cause as passes went to ground.

Thornhill had an early scare in this game when player coach Scott Dyson went down to the floor clutching his shoulder and calling for assistance. The game was briefly held up as Dyson received treatment. This delay resulted in Thornhill losing their concentration. Wath Brow seized the moment and ran the ball blind side. The lapse in Thornhill’s concentration allowed Mickey McAllister to race over for the first try of the game. Craig Johnstone converted.

But Thornhill soon recovered from this lapse as play moved to the other end of the field. Johnny Campbell and Jason Firth were both instrumental in taking play forward before Shane Davies made a troublesome run toward the try line. Davies was held short but from the play the ball Rob Copley went on a strong solo run. No Wath Brow players could halt Copley as he charged over for a try between the posts. James Craven converted into a strong wind.

With the scores now level Thornhill began to be the masters of their own undoing as a series of penalty decisions began to go against them. It was from once such penalty decision that Wath Brow opted to run the ball. With the wind behind them the ball was worked at speed down the attacking line. As play reached the bottom corner the ball ended up in the hands of Mickey McAllister. Instead of taking the obvious option and passing out to the wing McAllister opted to go for glory and head for the try line himself. The switch in direction of play opened the Thornhill defence up and McAllister went over for an unconverted try.

In the run up to half time Thornhill were penalised for ripping the ball out of the tackle and Craig Johnstone kicked a penalty goal.

Liam Morley is almost decapitated.

With the wind and slope in their favour Thornhill had a real chance of progressing into the semi finals. However, expectations failed to become reality as Thornhill produced a disjointed second half display.

The Trojans cause was made that much harder by the unexpected dismissal of centre Rob Copley. This was Copley’s first ever dismissal as a player and came about as he tried to get up to play the ball.

In getting to his feet the referee felt that Copley deliberately kneed and opponent and out came the red card.

Wath Brow eventually made their extra man advantage pay when substitute Phil Coyles made a dangerous run to the corner. Coyles got out a fantastic pass which found Fran King out wide. King took the pass and scored an unconverted try in the corner as the Thornhill defence became overstretched.

A penalty goal from Craig Johnstone then seemed to trigger a flurry activity as the game headed towards its conclusion.

First James Craven broke away for Thornhill down the wing. Craven appeared to go diving for the corner but was dramatically bundled into touch. The strength of the tackle was so much that Craven could take no further part in the game.

Then a Thornhill player spilled the ball trying to run play out of their half of the field. A Wath Brow player picked up the ball and appeared to race over for a try to put the result beyond doubt. However, after consulting his touch judge the referee over ruled the try due to a knock on.

Right at the death Ben Kendall broke away for Thornhill to make good ground but all this was too little too late from the home team. The referee eventually blew for time to put Wath Brow through to the semi finals.

Match report compiled by Andrew Byram.  Match Photos here