Kingswood 26 Midsomer Norton 3rd XV 20
The Thirds were on the road again this week after their original opponents, Huish Tigers, were unable to raise a side. This saw them travel to Kingswood for the second time this season for what proved to be an excellent game of rugby between two well-matched sides. Both teams scored four tries apiece, but it was the hosts who just edged it with a couple of key conversions.
The Norton pack were bolstered by the return of Man of the Match, Daren Hebbard, who played his first full eighty minutes in ten years.
The opening stages were dominated by Norton as the pack worked well around the fringes. From one such passage of play, the ball was worked wide to allow winger, Liam Shakespeare, to dive over for the first try of the game.
Kingswood hit back soon after when they capitalised on a missed tackle to go the length and score. They added two further tries to put themselves in the driving seat before half-time.
Norton hit back in the second half when flanker, Dev Maggs, powered over for a well taken try which was converted by full back, Fraser Collins. The Thirds pulled even closer when centre, Chris Barlow, cut an excellent line to finish off a prolonged period of pressure.
The hosts weren’t finished though and scored a good try after Norton missed an important tackle around the fringes.
It was Norton who had the final say as scrum half, Ian Tiley, was stopped just short but second row, James Todd, was on hand to pick up and go over for a well-deserved try.
It was an enjoyable game made all the more enjoyable by an excellent referee, who really entered into the friendly spirit of the contest.