Despite playing up the hill and into a very strong wind, Old Bristolians made a good start, controlling the game in the home side’s half. Being forced to defend, Norton fell foul of the referee’s early decisions, where Old Bristolians took a three-point lead from the resulting penalty.

Norton started to get in their stride, with the forwards carrying the ball strongly. Captain Fear was able to break through the Bristolians’ defence, offloading to James Abbott – who was tackled short of the line – only for the ball to be recycled, allowing young scrum half, Schuster, to score under the posts.

The visitors worked hard to keep the ball, and broke through the home defence to take the lead, but Norton regained the lead with a second converted try when Button crashed over.

The first half finished 14-8 to the home side, and Norton now literally had a forty-minute uphill battle to defend their slim lead.

Making the most of the elements, kicking well for territory, it was Old Bristolians who were the first to score in the second half. A neat kick through behind the defence allowed the chasing player to collect the ball and score, the conversion regained the lead for the visitors.

Old Bristolians extended their lead to eight points, but Norton regrouped and strong running from forwards Button and Jenner, supported by backs, Herrin and Jefferies, started to create chances.

Norton found themselves camped in the opposition’s 22 for a long period of time within the second half, and after a series of pick-and-go drives from the Norton forwards, prop Mitch Rose drove over the line in an attempt to score, but was held up by the very well-organised defence.

However, the Norton players did not give up, and kept pressurising the visitors’ defence until flanker, Clarke, capped a fine game with a try to close the gap to three points.

This was a game that slipped away from Norton, who will regret not taking advantage of the elements in the first half and not converting the possession they had within the final third into points.

Tom Fear