CHELTENHAM 59 MIDSOMER NORTON 27

Norton fell short of expectations, managing to take just a bonus-point from the away trip to Cheltenham.

It was the home side who started well on the 4G artificial pitch – Cheltenham set out to play a fast-paced game, unleashing some electric backs to score a few tries early on.

Norton found themselves under pressure for large parts of the game, struggling to put phases together, with the number of handling errors high while accuracy was poor. Norton attempted to kick from deep; however, the Cheltenham number-ten’s boot was superior, allowing them easy territory.

Cheltenham began to build a very healthy lead, securing the try bonus-point just after half-time. Norton did come back through tries from Button, Murphy and replacement, Jamie Rose. In the final play of the game, Abbott crashed over to score Norton’s fourth bonus-point try. But it was too little too late, as Cheltenham managed to score eight tries in total – deserving the victory, 59-27.

This Saturday, 6th April, Norton host local rivals, Chew Valley, for a top-of-the-table clash; kick-off 3 p.m. at Norton Down.