If Thornhill Trojans do get relegated from the Premier Division this season then this home defeat to Hull Dockers will have been a key factor in their destiny.

Thornhill Trojans threw away a 20 points lead in a dismal second half collapse as they eased off too much to allow the Hull side back into the game.

Playing up the slope in the first half Thornhill really did look like a team that had turned the corner and were carrying on from the previous weeks impressive victory over Castleford Panthers. Thornhill demonstrated some confident play with several strong attacks being backed up by willing support play.

M.O.M. Johnny Campbell leaves Jon Eccles in his wake.

Man of the match Johnny Campbell and winger James Craven were both prominent features of Thornhill’s attacking play and caused the Hull defence several headaches.

Thornhill’s first half defensive pay was also first class with Richard Pachniuk, Jason Firth and Danny Lee, returning after his two match ban, all involved in some powerful tackling efforts.

It was with such confident attacking and defensive work that Thornhill set about steamrollering over their visitors.

It was Lee Schofield and Jason Firth who combined to sent James Craven away on a run down the wing. Craven craftily cut inside and dived over for an unconverted try.

Thornhill continued to press forward and this time a combination of offloads from Danny Lee and Richard Pachniuk sent James Craven away on another dangerous run. Craven passed inside to the supporting Scott Green. Green dived spectacularly over the try line to touch down for the four points. James Craven converted.

Hull Dockers best scoring chance came when they appeared to have crossed for a try out wide. However, Thornhill breathed a collective sigh of relief when the touch judge raised his flag to indicate that the ball had gone out of play.

It was straight from this let off the Thornhill pressed up field and scored their third try. Danny Lee barged towards the try line but was held short. From a quick play the ball Johnny Campbell picked up the ball and nipped over for a try from short range. James Craven converted and with a half time lead of 16-0 Thornhill looked a team heading for glory.

The first half confidence of Thornhill was carried on into the second half when Anthony Harris made a strong run towards the try line. The ball was worked right and Jason Firth put Richard Bostock powering over for an unconverted try out wide.

Now leading 20-0 Thornhill looked certain victors but then instead of turning the screw further the Trojans made the fatal mistake of relaxing and allowing Hull Dockers back into the game.

What then happened was painful for Thornhill supporters to witness as the visitors taught Thornhill a lesson in how to play rugby for the full 80 minutes.

Anthony Harris looks inside for support.

It was after 55 minutes of play that Hull Dockers scored their first try of the game. This came after Thornhill had been penalised for ripping the ball close to their own line. Dockers took a quick tap penalty to catch Thornhill out. Craig Taylor crossed for an unconverted try.

It was another quickly taken penalty that caught Thornhill out. This time Steve Sellars crossed for a try and Chris Stephenson converted.

As the game entered its final ten minutes of play Thornhill still had a ten points lead. But then a good up field break from Hull Dockers was ended with Kristian Birch crossing for a try in the corner.

Chris Stephenson converted and suddenly Thornhill had a game on their hands.

The key point for Thornhill was when Danny Lee made a strong break towards the posts. With the try line at his mercy and with the hard work done, Lee look the wrong option in who to pass to and the ball went agonisingly to ground.

From this Hull Dockers quickly turned defence into attack to seal Thornhill’s misery. A move took the visitors up field and Paul Taylor took the final pass to go over for a try near to the posts. This levelled the score at 20-20. Chris Stephenson held his nerve to kick the goal to complete a remarkable second half come back for Hull Dockers.

Match report compiled by Andrew Byram. Match Photos Here