Midsomer Norton II 27 Bristol Telephones 14
Norton claimed maximum points in a gripping encounter at Norton Down against second-placed Bristol Telephones.
The home side dominated the first half and took a deserved five-point lead through Gareth Williams. After Norton had kicked for touch, Norton’s dominant set-piece allowed the hooker to go over from the back of a driving maul.
Norton extended their lead to twelve points in similar fashion. Knight broke from the maul to feed Fuller, who scrambled over the line. Rideout added the extras, as he would again shortly after. This time it was prop, Callum Bicknell, who stormed through broken play, swatting aside several Telephones to crash over and give the Seconds a commanding lead.
However, any idea the second half would be easy was soon dismissed, as Telephones fought hard and regained a foothold in the game as Norton struggled with the wind and discipline. Two quick fire tries from Telephones under the posts, both converted, set up a very tense final ten minutes as Norton sought to hold on to a lead, but also to chase the bonus point.
Norton laid siege to the Telephones’ defence for several minutes, but were met with a wall of incredible defensive work by the Away side. However, after being held up once, Will Edgell finally powered over the line with a fine finish in the corner with two minutes to go. From the restart, Norton immediately won a penalty, which Rideout, with his last kick before travelling Down Under, kicked over to secure victory.