Following the weather-enforced break, it was good to have some senior rugby at Norton Down with only the second team to have played there since 13th January.

The visitors, Bristol Saracens, started the game well, gaining possession in the home team’s half. Despite getting in behind the Norton defence, they were unable to convert this early pressure into points. But it was Norton who kept the scoreboard ticking over, with penalties in the first quarter.

The first try of the game was scored by back-row player Button, who carried the ball strongly throughout the afternoon. After being awarded a penalty, Norton kicked to the corner, and with the line-out running smoothly, the ball was won, eventually finding its way to centre, Mitchard, who found a gap in the Saracens’ defence, scoring under the posts, taking it to 21-3.

After a series of phases, the visitors closed the gap with a try of their own, bringing the score to 21-8. Norton then dominated the final ten minutes of the half deep in Saracens territory, but were unable to score after numerous chances.

Now playing with both the slope and the stiff breeze, Bristol Saracens played well, keeping the play in Norton territory for long periods of time. This pressure eventually allowed Saracens to score their second try of the game.

Being starved of the ball, Norton worked hard in defence. In a great attempt, hooker Mitch Rose was able to hold up an attack, denying the visitors of a try. Norton were finding it difficult to escape from their own twenty-two. Pressure then allowed Saracens to close the gap with two more penalties. This made it a three-point game.

As the game entered the final quarter, an infringement allowed Saracens a kickable penalty, which would bring the score level, but it was sent wide. This miss and Rideout’s long-range penalty earlier in the game kept Norton in the lead.

The home side finished the game the stronger of the two teams, controlling possession, but were unable to break down the visitors’ defence. In the final minutes of the game Norton were awarded a penalty, the home side’s kicker, Taylor, kept his nerve to kick the penalty, extending Norton’s slim lead. The game ended with a hard-won 24-19 victory for the home side.

Next week Norton will look to make it three wins on the bounce, as they host Cheltenham in one of the rearranged fixtures.