The conditions were perfect at Norton Down for the first game of the 2018-2019 season, with Norton Down being the visitors.

Sodbury started the brighter of the two sides, scoring first and even caught the Norton pack napping, destroying the home’s scrum in the first encounter. Norton quickly corrected this and scored a push over try, by number eight, Rose, moving the score on to 5–7. A penalty from Taylor gave Norton the lead. This lead was extended when Captain, Fear, won a ball in the line-out close to the line, the following drive allowed Button to collect the try.

Taylor again added the extra points. The half ended with the score at 15–7 in Norton’s favour.

The second half continued as the first, with neither side gaining a clear advantage. One Sodbury opportunity found a hole in Norton’s defensive line and Chipping Sodbury slipped through to score unopposed, the conversion was missed, but the gap was now closed to three points. Shortly after, Norton were awarded a penalty which Taylor converted, taking the lead back to six points.

The visitors would not give up and kept up the pressure on the home side, using their big back line, continued to attack and threaten the home team’s line. Eventually, the well organised home defence was breached again and Sodbury scored out wide. This made it a one-point game, 18–17.

Having put the first scrummage long behind them, Norton pushed Sodbury off their own ball, winning the ball against the head, the pack continued the momentum. This allowing Rose to collect his second try of the day, and again, the conversion was added, moving the score on to 25–17.

As the game moved into the closing stages, Chipping Sodbury doubled their efforts to reduce the gap and repeatedly fed the ball to their big runners, trying to break down the home team’s defence. Norton’s defence was stretched and in the dying minute, winger, Schuster, was yellow carded, adjudged to have illegally killed the ball.

Having been awarded a penalty, Chipping Sodbury decided to take the points and end the game within five points and gain a bonus point, but the kick went wide. Leaving the final score at 25–17 in Norton’s favour.

The home team will be pleased to start their campaign with a win, and to welcome back two returning players, Sinden slotting in at full back and Prentice at scrum half. Next week sees all three teams away, with First team at Chosen Hill FP, the Seconds at Wells and the Thirds at Corsham.