Midsomer Norton narrowly lost out to promotion-chasing Chew Valley last Saturday. Leading until the dying stages, Norton were just unable to hold on to clinch the win.
Saturday's league encounter also doubled as the Somerset Vase semi-final and current holders, Chew, progressed, although Norton very nearly responded to force extra time.
Norton exerted lots of first-half pressure as they played down the slope, but were unable to turn this dominance into points.
The home side missed an early penalty and then conceded a try as the Chew full-back made an outside break before also adding the conversion.
Norton hit back and fly half, Ben Taylor, struck two penalties as the home pack forced errors, with close-quarter pick-and-drive work from Matthew Denning, Alex Mitchard and Joe Button in the back row making the hard yards.
Just before half-time, Norton kicked ahead and home hooker, Clark, pounced on the loose ball to score under the posts.
Taylor also added the conversion to give Norton a 13–7 lead at the break.
The second half saw Norton persevere with their pick-and-drive tactics close to the breakdown and prop, Matt Edgell, scored a try in the corner to put them eleven points clear.
However, Chew fought their way back and when Norton lost Edgell to the sin bin, the scrums went uncontested. This allowed the visitors' number eight, Darren Jefferies, to score from close range. This was converted and Chew then added a penalty to move within one point.
Taylor kicked a penalty to stretch Norton's lead, but Chew gained the win when they scored at the back of a driving maul.
The much-improved performance from the home side should give them confidence for the remainder of the season.