A dominant performance on Hornets’ artificial turf gave the Seconds a thoroughly deserved away bonus point win, to move within a point of Cheddar Valley at the top of the table.

After a cagey opening twenty minutes, Norton were soon in the ascendancy, as they got to grips with the playing surface. The first half became a family affair, with Joe Knight opening the scoring from close range midway through the first half, vaulting a ruck to get the ball down, before brother, Sam Knight, showed off his trademark lightning pace to finish off a a breakaway move he had started himself.

However, despite their on field dominance, Norton could not pull away on the scoreboard, as Hornets responded to each of Norton’s tries with scores of their own. The Seconds had to take the lead for the third time that afternoon to secure a half-time advantage. After a period of pressure in the home side’s 22, hooker, Rex Nineham, pounced from close range to leave the score at 17–12 during the interval.

In the second half, Norton took control of the game to secure the win they deserved, although they found themselves immediately pegged back again after Hornets pounced on a Norton handling error, deep inside their own half, to bring the scores level.

Norton responded with the same spirit and determination that has led them to victories in recent weeks. The Seconds ‘domination up front was rewarded with a succession of penalties in the Hornets’ half, which were ruthlessly dispatched by the right boot of Tom Rideout, who kicked superbly to add twelve points to his first half conversion. With Hornets now chasing the game, Norton put the match to rest with two minutes to go. Dynamic prop, Sonny-Bill Bicknell, raced down the wing, before offloading out of the back of his hand to send Jack Rideout over the whitewash in the corner. Hornets grabbed a late consolation try after a controversial penalty from the kick-off, but Norton will be thoroughly satisfied with their afternoon’s work against their opponents, many of whom regularly play two divisions above.

Norton look to continue their strong start to the season as they take on Hornets’ bitter rivals, Weston-super-Mare at Norton Down on Saturday.