MIDSOMER NORTON 46 CLEVEDON 19

Midsomer Norton First XV welcomed Clevedon on a beautiful day at Norton down for what was a very entertaining afternoon of running rugby.

The red and whites started well, exerting lots of pressure during the opening minutes. Taylor slotted a penalty from close range to give Norton the lead, 3-0.

This early pressure continued, Norton were knocking on the door allowing Clevedon no choice but to concede penalties. The home side kept kicking to the corner to eventually set up a strong catch and drive, with Button dotting the ball down, 8-0.

Norton began to dominate in all aspects of the game. The lineout was accurate, giving great platform and the scrum was effective as usual from the ever-so bullying pack. Whilst Clevedon were knocking on the Norton door, it was soon slammed shut as the organised Norton defence held firm.

One attack started from deep inside the Norton half; soft hands from Mitchard and Lewis Dyer allowed Ben Taylor to finish off a great try in which Taylor outpaced a covering defender to cross the line.

Shortly afterwards, Matthew Denning was rewarded for resilient support play. Hooker Mitch Rose carried hard and offloaded to Denning for a run in under the sticks. Button then made it across the whitewash to extend the lead to 27-0 going into the break.

Clevedon came out in the second half fighting; they collected their first try in the corner after an overlap was executed well with slick hands. Norton got their hands back on the ball, and prop, Will Edgell, carried hard then fended off multiple defenders to bulldoze over the line.

Further tries in the second half came from Mitchard (a perfectly-timed two-against-one) with the full-back, and Joe Button again, grabbing his hat-trick. However, Clevedon didn’t give up, they held on to the ball for pretty much the final fifteen minutes, managing to score a further two tries, taking the final score to 46-19 in favour of Norton.

A great all-round team performance from Norton, proving dominance up front in the pack whilst there was flare and accuracy out wide within the backs.

Steve Blackmore