Thornhill defy sending-off to ease into quarter-finals

The introduction of substitute Jake Wilson, playing his first game back since picking up an injury in the 2013 Yorkshire Cup Final, brought new life to the Trojans.

Wilson was in inspired form and quickly registered a second half hat-trick of tries.

There were other stand out performances from man of the match Ben Kendall and Sam Ratcliffe who stepped up to the kicking duties admirably.

Heysham took a first minute lead when prop Liam Hall burrowed over from close range for a try. Billy Livingstone converted.

Thornhill hit back when Scott Green fed Joss Ratcliffe and exchanged passes with Sam Ratcliffe to sprint away for a try that Gibson converted.

Gibson was sent off for a high tackle and Danny Ratcliffe put Anthony Harris over for a try, which Sam Ratcliffe converted.

The half-time team talk helped Thornhill to take control as swift passing put Jake Wilson away for an unconverted try.

Minutes later Wilson again broke to stride away and go over for a try converted by Sam Ratcliffe.

Mindaugas Bendikas then broke away from the half way line to race over. Sam Ratcliffe added the goal.

Thornhill’s onslaught was interrupted when Heyham’s scrum-half Jamie Cottle nipped over and Billy Livingston converted.

Tom Ripley read Liam Morley’s kick perfectly and pounced to score, Sam Ratcliffe kicking the extras.

Scott Green flipped the ball out to the wing for Joss Ratcliffe to go over in the corner and Sam Ratcliffe kicked a brilliant touchline goal.

Jake Wilson then completed is hat-trick when he ran on to a short pass to race over. Sam Ratcliffe converted.

Down but not out, the visitors continued to battle until the end and Matthew Humpage burrowed his way under a pile of tacklers to score an unconverted try.

Jack Edmondson then showed great speed to race down the touchline to score a long range try, converted by Michael Forrest.

Thornhill had the final say when a strong run from Simon Walker allowed Sam Ratcliffe to nip over for a try which he goaled, as 12-man Thornhill topped the half-century to ease into the last eight.

BARLA National Quarter-final draw: Queens or Widnes St Maries v Thornhill Trojans, Egremont Rangers v Keighley Albion, Dewsbury Moor v Sharlston Rovers, Illingworth v Upton.