Old Richians 24 Midsomer Norton 34
Midsomer Norton secured another bonus point win away from Home on Saturday, against mid-table Gloucester side, Old Richians.
Early pressure saw Norton get on the scoreboard first; Ben Taylor was able to slot three points from close range. Richians then replied as they attacked using multiple phases, eventually finding their way into the Norton 22, the Home side crashed over to take the score to 7–3.
Despite a number of changes to the Norton starting fifteen, things still ran smoothly – Luke Murphy showed talent at Fly Half, controlling the game and unleashing threats of Taylor and Jeffery in midfield. Sam Church ruled the front of the lineout to guarantee stability and possession. Church, in fact, capped a solid performance with a great individual try; a clever dummy with the fullback saw him touch down and regain the lead for Norton, (7–10).
Confident Norton then struck again – Richians were attempting to spread the ball wide, but centre, Jeffery, showed great hunger in defence as he smashed his opposite number in midfield. When making the crunching hit, somehow, unknown to everyone on the pitch, he stripped the ball, then used his pace to run in from halfway to score under the posts, (7–17).
It seemed that Norton could run away away with the game at this point. However, Richians had other ideas – they spent the final ten minutes of the half in the Norton 22, managing to score two tries, taking the score to 17–17 going into the break.
Norton never looked doubtful in the second half; they soon regained the lead through a penalty from Taylor. Smart play from Joe Button saw the try machine extend his side’s lead – he spotted a gap around the fringe of a ruck and dived over to score. Another to add to his tally for the season, 27–17.
An injury to an Old Richians player forced the game to move pitches. This did not affect Norton’s attack, as they secured the bonus point try with ten minutes left. Holmwood made his way through a few gaps, passing to winger, Ben Palmer, who raced down the left-hand touchline to score in the corner, 17–34.
Richians were able to take something from the game as they were awarded a penalty try with a few minutes to go – this meant they secured a losing bonus point – taking the final score to 24–34 in favour of Norton.