Norton started this local derby well but in their urgency to score points made too many small handling errors to capitalise on their possession. The front five led the way, with their domination of the set piece, as they destroyed the home side’s scrummage.

On one of the few occasions that Chew Valley got into Norton territory, they came away with points, scoring from a driven lineout.

Norton kept the pressure on the home side with their strong forward runners, carrying the ball. Second row Gimson made a strong run but was brought down short. Chew Valley were forced to offend at the ruck to deprive Norton of clean scoring ball and were penalised. Taylor slotted the penalty. Gimson was forced through injury to leave the field of play soon after.

Midsomer Norton took the lead just before half-time when eventually, the referee accepted the domination Norton had in the scrummage and penalised the home front row for collapsing. Deciding to kick for the lineout, the jumpers won the ball, allowing Norton to set up a maul and drive hooker Rose, over the line. Taylor added the extra points, giving Norton a 7-10 lead at the break.

Chew Valley started the second half well and quickly set up positions in the bottom corner of their pitch and scored two tries within the first ten minutes of the second period. The first was set up from a driving maul following a line out close to the Norton line, the home side crossed the line to score a converted try. Keeping the pressure on in Norton’s twenty-two, Chew span the ball wide to their strong backs who eventually scored in the opposite corner.

Recovering from the initial setback the Norton team controlled long periods of the half. One promising attack was stopped when flyhalf Abbott was tripped, surprisingly the offending player was not disciplined by the official. Norton suffered an injury to their replacement second row Goddard, who was taken off with a suspected dislocated shoulder, Gimson was forced to return.

Norton spent long periods putting pressure on the Chew line, but the home defence held firm. Chew Valley deserved the win, but Norton will be disappointed with the loss of the bonus point.