Billing stars as Rishies are victorious against Thornensians

Rishworthians’ Copley pitches are still unplayable and hopefully the forecast dry weather over the next two weeks will enable the pitches to recover.

Rishworthians included the same forwards who have performed well in the last two games with Luke Illingworth starting at prop.

The backs had three changes with Joe Billing moving to fly half instead of the unavailable Josh Kelly and Corey White replacing Billing in the centre. Dylan O’Brien started instead of Anthony Shoesmith on the left wing.

Kicking off with the wind at their backs, Old Rishworthian forwards showed their skills early on with Jacob Bower at number 8, creating space and from a line out near the visitors line, right winger Tom Olroyd was soon involved in play. He kicked ahead and a penalty was conceded by Old Rishworthians much to the relief of Thornensians. Their large pack started breaking tackles and a penalty was awarded on the 22 which was converted by Shaun Roberts.

Billing received the ball on Thornensians 22 and chipped ahead and hacked on and dived over for a try which he converted. O’Brien was unlucky when he received the ball on the Thornensians 22 and raced down the touchline and was tackled near the try line but was deemed to be in touch.

The home backs were creating space with Billing varying his game well.

Bower made another break and he was tackled illegally and Billing kicked the penalty. Just before half time Ethan Pollard jumped high in the line out securing good ball for Phillips. His high kick into the Thornensians 22 created confusion for the Thornensians defenders and the ball bounced just missing Oldroyd but Doug Heseltine was just behind him and he caught the ball and raced over for a try converted by Billing. A further penalty by Billing was converted following an off side, giving Rishies a 20-8 interval lead.

Although Thornensians were now playing with a strong wind behind them they could not gain territorial advantage in the second half. Luke Sutcliffe at full back was dangerous every time he had the ball and after 10 minutes following another high tackle, Billing kicked a penalty.

The visitors were tiring and the ball became loose. Phillips, Illingworth and Sutcliffe combined well to pass the ball to Olroyd who scored a good try in the corner which was converted well by Billing.

The Old Rishworthians final bonus point try scored by Greg Withers and showed the strength of the backs. Inter passing on the right wing enabled Withers to dummy his way over for his first try for the team. This was converted by Billing. Eventually Thornensians gained ground and managed to set up a line out near the home line. Following a maul the prop scored a try which was unconverted.

A good team performance with an outstanding display from Joe Billing.