MIDSOMER NORTON 3rds 15 KEYNSHAM 3rds 24
The Thirds narrowly lost out to Keynsham Thirds on Saturday in their Bath Merit Table game.
The weather was horrendous, but both sides did their best to produce some rugby in the cold, wet and windy conditions. Ultimately, it was Kenysham who ran out winners, with four tries to three, but it was an evenly-contested game, and Norton looked to be heading for the win at half-time before letting the game slip in the second period.
Playing up the slope, Norton spent long periods camped on their own line, but their defence stood up well to the task. This limited Keynsham to one long-range effort.
Norton pulled level when lock, Tom Hillier, powered over from close-range. Shortly before half-time, scrum-half, Dan Moon, sniped over around the side of a ruck to give Norton a well-earned lead.
With the wind now at their backs, Norton looked well-set, but Keynsham played some excellent rugby to score three tries against the conditions. Norton responded with a late score from replacement number eight, Tyron Dallimore, but Keynsham held on for a deserved win.
Norton are on the road this week as they travel to Wyvern for their last game before the Christmas break.