MIDSOMER NORTON 25 CHOSEN HILL FORMER PUPILS 17

For the second week running, the rain and soggy conditions made passing and offloading hazardous, and resulted in a game that was full of good intentions, but a free-flowing game never materialised.

Playing into the wind in the first half, Norton started strongly, with good running and continuity, allowing the impressive Matthew Denning to score the first try of the game. He was on excellent form all game, with the ball seemingly in his hands at all times as he tidied up messy situations, beating defenders with his trademark drop of the shoulder.

Over-playing when the weather deteriorated led to Norton giving up possession and territory, and Chosen Hill were on-hand to take advantage to score a penalty and then a try of their own to put themselves in the lead. The highlight of the first half was the sight of winger, Ben Palmer, turning defence into attack with aggressive, illusive counter-attacks, and he was also on the end of the move to score in the corner, giving Norton the lead again before half-time.

The second half may live long in the memory, but only because the players and spectators will remember how cold they were! An injury to a Chosen Hill player meant that the game moved to the spare Third Team pitch. There were lots of stoppages and no real danger of a game of rugby breaking out, with the exception of tries from Anderson and Jeffery, both of whom showed determination and an eye for a break all game.