Following last week's narrow defeat at league leaders, Chew Valley, with Norton controlling the game for 50–60 minutes, the home side were looking to extend their control for the full eighty minutes against this week's opponents.

Old Bristolians won the toss and decided to play up the slight Norton Down slope. So, the home side kicked off deep in the Bristolians' half, after a phase or two, the ball was kicked out for a Norton line-out. Norton camped in the Bristol side's half for a prolonged period with their defence standing firm, with the home side unable to turn pressure into points.

The first points of the game came from the back of a scrum, from said scrum, the ball was passed out to the ever- rampaging Mitchard, who broke through one tackle and offloaded to Button. The flanker beat the fullback to score his second try in two games, scrum half, Ben Moon, converted the extras.

Following the try, Norton marched straight back up the pitch and were awarded a penalty, which the boot of Ben Moon converted for three points, taking the score to 10–0.

Old Bristolians kicked off again and the ball was caught by second row, Rob Fuller, who offloaded the ball, but this was dropped by Captain, Denning. He was looking for a charging run, unfortunately, the ball was collected by a Norton player in an offside position, giving the visitors a penalty. This was kicked to the corner and in the resulting line-out, Norton got a hand to the ball, knocking the ball forward. Norton at this point were struggling to control the Bristol side's heavy pack and were pushed back over their own line, with the visitors scoring their first points of the match.

After some sustained pressure in the visitors' half, the defending team had a line-out and a chance to clear their lines, but the ball was fumbled and Captain Denning managed to tidy up the scrappy ball and dive on the line for a try, which was again converted by Moon.

Late in the half, Old Bristolians managed to kick a penalty to take the score to 17–8 at half-time.

At half-time, Coach and Captain were happy with the first period's play and asked for more open rugby in the second half. The intention was to keep the large visitor's pack moving, but still keeping an eye on their opponents, after having shown how dangerous they could be when close to the try line.

With play underway, it wasn't long before Ben Moon found himself in open space at the halfway line, he weaved and dummied his way over the try line for a fine individual effort, he also added the conversion to his try, taking the score to 24–8.

The home side now only needed one more try to get the 'fourth try bonus point'.

Ian Day collected the score after Ben Taylor opened up a massive gap, which Sam Prentice burst through. Sam then drew the full back and passed to Ian Day to score under the posts, Ben Moon converted to complete his 100% record for the game.

A period of indiscipline saw Norton reduced to thirteen men when the referee decided that too many penalties were being given away.

The Old Bristolians' team took advantage of the extra man and scored a penalty try, reducing the deficit. The home side's defence held firm for the rest of the sin bin period.

Norton face Drybrook at home next week and hope to repeat the away result.

Matthew Denning