Norton toppled the league leaders with a fine, battling victory over former coach Tom Lovell's Longlevens on Saturday.

Midsomer Norton 20-19 Longelevens

The Gloucester side had won all six of their league matches so far this season but Midsomer Norton took the lead after Taylor kicked an early penalty.

From this point on the contest would sway from one side to the other and after some failed opportunities, Longlevens capitalised on a period of sustained pressure, with the flanker cutting a fine line the lead shortly before half-time. However, it was Norton who took a 10-7 lead into the break with a quick reply after Taylor seized upon a fumbled pass from the away side to release Hugh Jeffrey.

Longlevens took the lead twice more in the second half - once from the back of the scrum and another crashing over from short range - but these tries were only sandwiching a second for Jeffrey who had dived on Schuster's fine kick through the defence.

Needing to score again, Norton were knocking on the door and after a series of pick and gos, hooker Mitch Rose had seen enough.

He wandered over to pick up and the ball powered over, giving Norton the slenderest of leads with just five minutes remaining.

There was still time for late drama as Longlevens had a chance to snatch victory with a final penalty, but the kick at goal drifted wide and Norton could finally celebrate.

Next up, Norton face Old Bristolian’s at Norton Down in a 3pm kick-off.

Alex Davis