Having played several pre-season friendlies, MNRFC embarked on their league campaign with Yatton visiting Norton Down. The fine weather encouraged a large crowd to attend, who hoped to see a free-flowing game of rugby. In the opening exchanges, the visitors came off best, scoring a converted try after six minutes.
After this initial setback, the home side got into their stride and closed down Yatton’s lively scrum half, depriving the visitors’ attacking opportunities. With the forwards winning some great attacking ball, fly half, Abbott, released his backs, allowing winger, Herrin, to score his debut try in the left-hand corner. Five minutes later they took the lead when prop, Jenner, forced his way over the line and with the conversion completed, Norton took a five-point lead.
Norton extended their lead when hard working flanker, Clark, scored the side’s third try, taking the score to 17–7 at the break.
Straight after the break, Norton suffered their second setback of the day when Captain, Fear, was forced to leave the field due to injury. This situation was almost immediately compounded when Fear’s replacement, Goddard, was also forced to leave with a knee injury.
While Norton were reorganising their pack, the visitors took the opportunity to close the deficit, bringing the score to 17–12. Yatton, now playing down the slope, put the home side under pressure, but the new defensive strategy held fast and deprived the visitors any further points.
Button scored the team’s forth try after a series of powerful forward drives.
As the game was coming to a close, flanker, Sawkins, scored the team’s fifth try; this was converted by Taylor, finishing his kicking game well, having previously hit the posts three times.
Saturday sees the team on the road to Gloucester to play Old Richians.