Norton made their first of the season’s many journeys into Gloucester, for Saturday’s match against Chosen Hill FP. The pitch was dry, but there was a stiff breeze blowing across the pitch; this and the slope were to Norton’s advantage for the first half.

Chosen Hill had an early attempt at goal, which hit the post and rebounded. Flanker, Sawkins, suffered an early cut to the head and his back-row partner was lucky not to be seriously injured in a tip tackle which went un-penalised.

Norton were the first to score when Taylor slotted a long-range penalty, but the home side scored a try in reply wide out to take the lead. Norton used the slope and wind well to gain field position and Button scored a try at the back of a driving maul following a line-out. Chosen Hill levelled the score with a penalty of their own.

A scrum on the five-metre line allowed number eight, Button, to pick up and dive over to collect his second try of the afternoon, Taylor added the extra points. This gave Norton an 8–15 lead at the break, but they had suffered another injury with centre, Murphy, having to leave the field.

Norton’s line-out had worked well all afternoon and from one, close to the line this allowed hooker, M. Rose, to score from a catch and drive. Chosen Hill replied with a penalty goal before they had a player yellow carded. During this period, the home side closed the gap with a try, which was unconverted. Taylor kept the Norton scoreboard ticking over with a penalty, keeping the gap at ten points 16–26. Norton then suffered another injury when replacement scrum half, Prentice, suffered a bad cut over his eye and was removed to hospital.

Now back to a full team, the home team scored another try, closing the gap to five points. Norton’s fitness showed as they finished the stronger of the two teams, with J. Rose joining his brother on the scoreboard. Again, Taylor added the extra points to finish the game 21–33 in Norton’s favour.

A good win on the road, but Norton had collected several worrying injuries as Schuster also had to leave the field. There were some good

performances – especially by winger, Church, who worked tirelessly in defence for the whole game. After the game there seemed to be confusion with the final score, the RFU website posted the incorrect score as 29–48.