MIDSOMER Norton moved up to third in Counties One Western North after gaining a 57-8 home victory over bottom side Chosen Hill Former Pupils in their latest rugby match.

It was Midsomer Norton's seventh win in 12 games but they trail 100 per cent leaders Nailsea & Backwell by 18 points, both sides having played the same number of games.

Clifton slipped back to fourth place after they lost 43-24 away to Nailsea & Backwell who are only two points in front of Dings Crusaders who were 55-40 home winners over Old Bristolians.

Bridgwater & Albion squeezed home 20-19 at home to local rivals Taunton while Chard and Gordon League fought out a 26-26 draw.

Chosen Hill Former Pupils remain bottom of the table, four points adrift of the next placed side Taunton and will have to improve considerably if they are to avoid relegation at the end of the season.

Results - Counties One Western North: Bridgwater & Albion 20, Taunton 19; Chard 26, Gordon League 26; Dings Crusaders 55, Old Bristolians 40; Gordano 29, Old Redcliffians 22; Midsomer Norton 57, Chosen Hill Former Pupils 8; Nailsea & Backwell 43, Clifton 24.

Meanwhile, Midsomer Norton 2nd XV also managed to play despite the freezing weather conditions affecting much of the country, and put up a spirited fight before losing 29-24 away to Birstol Harlequins in a mid-table clash.

Yatton remain 100 per cent at the top after beating Winscombe 59-5 at home while Old Redcliffians were 21-15 home winners against Bristol Telelphones.

There was a close match at Clevedon where the home side eventually went down 36-29 to Old Sulians.

Results: Bristol Harlequins 29, Midsomer Norton 24; Clevedon 29, Old Sulians 36; Gordano 29, Nailsea & Backwell 25; Old Redcliffians 21, Bristol Telephones 15;Yatton 59, Winscombe 5.