BOURNVILLE Head Coach Matt Price has praised the dedication of hooker Conor Thorneycroft who made his competitive debut as a replacement against Hornets at Avery Fields last Saturday.
Thorneycroft arrived at Avery Fields from Sutton Coldfield towards the end of last season and although he featured in the pre-season match against Bromsgrove in August, had to wait patiently for his first outing in National Two West.
But Thorneycroft has been a consistent performer for Bournville Blues in their push for promotion from Counties Midlands Three West (South) and an assiduous trainer.
With two hookers, Jake Bailey and Ben Rhodes, on the injured list, Thorneycroft was promoted to the first team squad against Hornets and produced a combative cameo when he replaced James Weaver midway through the second half.
Price said: “I’m chuffed for Conor because he’s a grafter. He will always be at training, he will always try his hardest and he will always go and do his utmost.
“His arrows are very good. He’s a good thrower-in of the ball. He works hard around the park and I was pleased that we were able to give him his debut against Hornets.
“I think he will kick on from that and I definitely think that he’s got a future here.”
Thorneycroft’s debut was one of the few positives from a 41-30 defeat against Hornets along with the return from injury of centre Sam Grimshaw.
Grimshaw marked his comeback with one of Bournville’s four tries in which he showed that he had lost none of his attacking edge after almost three months on the sidelines.
Price added: “I thought Grimmy played very well. He took his try very nicely with great feet and power.
“He looked a threat but we have got to give people like him space and time on the ball. In the likes of Alex Evans, Nathan Decalmer and Joe Jenkins we have some really good runners who can attack well. We’re just not seeing it at the moment.”
