MIDSOMER NORTON 3rd XV 7 CHEW VALLEY 3RD XV 60
The thirds continued their season with a friendly against Chew Valley.
The game was played in good spirits with both sides playing a full part in a competitive first half. As the game wore on however, Chew began to exploit the open spaces and ultimately ran out comfortable winners.
There was no sign of this later dominance in the first half, in what was a very even affair. Chew always looked dangerous out wide, but it was the Norton pack who had the majority of the possession. The game started with Norton laying siege to the Chew line, but some solid defence kept the hosts at bay and it was the visitors who profited when they seized on a loose pass and went the length of the field to open the scoring.
The visitors increased their lead with another try from distance, when again, they pounced on a Norton mistake. Norton were not to be denied though, and prop, Will Rogers, was soon on hand to capitalise from a number of effective pick and goes when he powered over from five-metres out. The conversion was added by full-back, Fraser Collins.
The second half saw Chew work the ball wide to their fast backs and on numerous occasions breached the inexperienced Norton defence to earn a well-deserved win.
Norton can be pleased with their first half performance and know they will need to tighten up their midfield defence. The positives were the welcome return to action of veteran flanker, Andrew Parker, who had an excellent game, backed up by a number of younger members, with Percy Francis and Dev Maggs worthy of particular mention.