After last week's excellent win against Bradford-on-Avon, the first team made the long trip to Dorchester hoping to double their points tally.
Unfortunately, a few lapses in concentration and some questionable referring decisions cost them a game that they will feel they really should have won.
Norton started well and controlled the opening twenty minutes. Flanker, Joe Button, carried the ball strongly and really gave his team mates something to work from. This momentum allowed Norton to take an early lead when fly-half, Ben Taylor, kicked a penalty after a Dorchester player was sin binned for a deliberate knock-on. Norton increased their lead soon after when Captain, Matthew Denning, went over from a rehearsed lineout move. Taylor converted to give Norton a well-deserved ten point lead.
Norton eased off slightly and this allowed the hosts to score in the corner from their first real attack of the game. It was a try that Norton should have defended and this gave the hosts new-found momentum. They soon added a penalty and threatened further scores before Norton rediscovered their form. They were very unlucky not to score before half-time, with prop, Matt Edgell, closest, as he was just forced out in the corner.
The second period saw Dorchester gradually seize control. A neck injury to Dayne Swift, coupled with an unjust sin binning for centre, Alex Mitchard, saw Norton begin to leak points at crucial periods. Slowly, Dorchester eased clear before Rob Fuller responded with a last gasp try. Gathering his own kick-off, he rumbled up the pitch. Following multiple carries from forwards and backs, it was Fuller who was on hand to go over for a consolation score.
Norton will look back at this game with regret that they never quite did enough to put the game to bed when the chances arose.