GORDANO 2nds 5 MNRFC 2nds 20
First faced off against second in this key clash at the top of Somerset Two, and it was Norton who picked up a vital bonus point victory to strengthen their grip on the top spot.
Recent weather conditions, including a storm shortly before kick-off, created challenging playing conditions, and the
resulting mud made this a battle of attrition. The opening
exchanges saw both sides defending well but few real opportunities, as Gordano marginally controlled the territory.
However, it was the away side who broke the deadlock, when Robbie Fuller scored off the back of a driving scrum. Gordano then responded quickly, taking advantage of a penalty and the extra yards gained from Norton’s poor discipline to bring things level.
Norton’s scrum began to dominate the clash before the game then swung in their favour during a five-minute spell shortly before half-time. First, the Seconds retook the lead when Nesbitt danced down the touch-line, just remaining in play to cross the whitewash. Ryan Forse then took advantage of confusion in the midfield to hack the ball through the mud, allowing winger, Scott Anderson, to give the away side some breathing space at half-time.
The game was all-but wrapped up early in the second half, when Fuller once more went over from close range, following a spell of pressure and another dominant scrummage. As playing conditions deteriorated, both sides defended well in a physical contest, but it was Norton who claimed a valuable victory. This result means that first will once again face off against second next week, as Norton host Bristol Telephones at Norton Down.