Royal Wootton Bassett 12 Midsomer Norton 6
The afternoon started badly for Norton when they arrived at the Royal Wootton Bassett clubhouse, only to find they had left their shirts at Norton Down. Their hosts kindly supplied them with a spare set. The game started in dismal weather and this continued for the whole game. Norton won the toss and elected to play up the slight slope and into the wind first half.
The Wootton kick-off caught the wind and went straight in to touch, the
Norton forwards showed their intent at the first scrummage, driving their opposition off of the ball, but this was the only part of the game that they were to dominate for the entire afternoon. The weather made both teams’ line-out a lottery, so Norton’s normal supply of ball from this set piece became erratic.
Wootton Bassett scored the first points of the game following a borderline late tackle penalty, which the home side turned down the three points and kicked to the corner. The visitors managed to hold the driving maul at bay, but after several concerted attacks, Wootton Basset crashed over the line. The Norton defence had been working very hard to keep the home side out, but finally ran out of cover. The rest of the half was very even, with neither side really able to get the upper hand.
Norton ended the half pleased with their efforts, having a slim 6–5 lead, with fly-half, Ben Taylor, having scored two penalty goals.
Norton were now looking forward to playing down the slight slope with the wind at their backs, but Mother Nature intervened as the wind changed direction.
The second half was very much like the first, with both sides having periods of
pressure with the defences of both sides having to compete hard to clear their lines. At times, Norton tried to play too much rugby in the poor conditions, making handling errors and giving interception passes which gave their opposition easy possession.
As the game neared the forty minute mark, it seemed as if Norton would continue their winning run but a speculative kick from the home side’s fly-half caused confusion in the Norton defence, allowing the Wootton Bassett winger to pounce on the loose ball and touch down for their second try. The fly-half added the extra points as his kick hit the posts, but bounced over. This left Norton with no time to
regain the lead.
Although Norton’s league winning streak, which ran from January 2014 has now ended, they are still top of the league and look forward to playing host to Sherborne this coming Saturday.