MIDSOMER NORTON 14 MATSON 27
The game began with Norton taking the slight advantage playing down the slope, Norton seemed sharp as they easily gained metres in attack early on.
From a lineout, deep inside the Matson 22, Norton orchestrated a driving maul, in which Scott Goddard was on hand to crash over to open the scores, 7–0.
Shortly afterwards, Norton struck again through number 8, Joe Button. After multiple attempts close to the Matson try line, the ball found its way to Button who refused to be tackled and inevitably dotted down, 14–0.
Matson then began to wake up – they won a scrum against the head outside the Norton 22, the ball was taken blind by the Matson scrum half who linked up with his winger to dive over in the corner to 14–5. Further handling errors and mistakes from Norton allowed Matson to collect their second try of the game, taking the scores to 14–10.
The momentum that Matson created at the end of the first half continued throughout the second period; they held on to the ball for long periods, starving Norton of the ball, however, when Norton did gain possession, they were unable to offer any threat towards the organised Matson defence. The visitors scored a further three unanswered tries, two of which were nearly identical tries where Matson mauled from lineouts and caught Norton napping on the blind side as they ran in virtually unopposed.
Norton had opportunities towards the end of the game – penalties were kicked to the corner in the hope to score in the final seconds, however, they were not clinical enough to turn pressure into points. The match finished 14–27 in favour of Matson, who, on the day, were well deserved winners.
This Saturday, Norton are Home to Cheltenham for a 2.30 p.m. kick-off.