Playing in parallel leagues, these two local teams seldom meet and with little local rugby being played this weekend, both teams were looking forward to the game in the Somerset Cup.
Midsomer Norton had the edge in the scrum during the first half with Edgell, Fuller and Jenner dominating, but despite a steady supply of quality ball, Norton could not capitalise from the pressure. Chances of points were squandered, with dropped passes and lazy work in and around the breakdown, the latter allowing the home side to compete in the initial rucks.
Chew Valley took the lead on the mid-point of the half, with a try from their flanker and the full back added the conversion. Norton hit back almost immediately with a try from centre, Rich Martin, who burst through a number of tackles to cross the line near the posts. Fly half, Ben Taylor, missed the conversion, but soon slotted over a penalty following a Chew infringement at the scrum to take Norton into the lead. The home side quickly responded with a converted try following a forward drive.
The second half began with the Norton side hoping to make the most of the slope, but it was the home side that started the half brighter, due to a couple of replacements helping to steady their scrum. The Chew backs started to get some quick ball, which allowed them to make inroads into the Norton defensive line. Eventually, this pressure took its toll and the full back found a gap to score a converted try.
Norton’s scrum half, Sam Knight, reacted quickly at a scrum and darted down the blindside to score in the corner. This was converted by Taylor to keep Norton in touch of the home side. Taylor also added a penalty, but Chew added their own, keeping the gap to six points.
Chew Valley added the final points onto the scoreboard, with another penalty from their full back. Norton finished the match with one last attack and deep into extra time, Flanker, Joe Button, thought he had scored, but unfortunately, the referee was unsighted, so was unable to give the try.
A special mention must go out to a number of second team and under-eighteen players who made their debut appearance for the First Team last Saturday and did not look out of place – seventeen-year-olds Luke Murphy, who started on the wing and Luis Davila, who came off the bench into the back row, also Sam Emery making his debut off the bench onto the wing.