After some early morning rain, the game started in fine weather, and it seemed that both teams intended to make the most of the good conditions.
Norton had some early pressure, but it was Oldfield, making the most of the slope and breeze, who scored first, recycling the ball from an attack on their left-hand side, they moved the ball wide and scored in the opposite corner.
The visitors tried to keep the home side pinned deep in their own territory, but Norton players, Herrin, Schuster, Jeffery and J.Rose, carried the ball back at them, while fly half, Abbott, used the boot to clear the lines.
Norton’s Forwards, after gaining field position, started to take control and a series of forward drives close to the line, set up the first try when, prop Bicknell crossed to level the scores.
With the line-out functioning well, thanks to M.Rose, Knight and Fear, and producing good ball, Abbott could use the boot to gain ground, keeping the forward momentum. From one attack, Knight collected the ball some 40m from the line and outstripped the covering defence to score Norton’s second try, just before the thirty minute mark. Taylor added the extra points with the conversion.
Norton’s lead was extended on the half-an-hour mark with a third try, a typical rampaging run by flanker, Button, was finished off when he scored under the posts. Again, the try was converted by Taylor. In reply, Oldfield scored a converted try, closing the gap to seven points. Norton suffered a setback when Rideout was forced to leave the field with what looked like a serious shoulder injury, and he was replaced by Dyer.
Norton responded just before the break with a try by Herrin, again, this was converted by Taylor, taking the score at the break to 27–12.
Comfortably in the lead, Norton played the second half with a lot of energy but wasted opportunities to extend the lead. Until, on the 60-minute mark, an attack, started by Martin deep in Norton’s territory, gave Herrin the opportunity to run fifty metres before being hauled down. Knight was on hand to finish off the move and score his second try, taking the Norton tally over thirty points. With only two minutes left on the clock and with a bit of fatigue setting in after their hard-fought mid-week Semi-Final, Norton’s defence allowed Oldfield to score their third try of the match. This was the final score of the game, which finished 32–19 in Norton’s favour.
The win was built on a strong set piece led by Jenner, reinforced by Williams in the second period; the work rate of the back-row players, Herbert, Button, Rose and Clark and a solid defence led again by centre, Martin.