Norton Thirds defeated Walcot on Saturday to ensure that they were crowned league winners. Their bonus point win saw them clinch the Somerset Three North title by one point from nearest rivals, Bristol Barbarians. The win was a just reward for an excellent season that has seen a mix of youth and experience come together in Captain, Ian Tiley's new-look squad.
With a bit of guidance from their older counterparts, the younger members of the squad have really developed over the course of the year. The Murphy twins, Ben and Joe, have excelled all season and weighed in with six tries between them on Saturday. Ben scoring four and his brother, scoring two, respectively.
Flanker, Luis Deville, has also shown a great deal of promise and scored the final try of the game to cap an excellent first season at senior level.
The tries flowed thick and fast in a one-sided first half, where Norton dominated. The set piece was rock solid with experienced props, Dave Williams and Tim Chivers, firmly in control. The second row added some extra firepower, with Tom Hillier and Dan Massey prominent in the loose. This enabled number eight, Julian Hawkins, to score the first try of the game as the Norton pack powered over from close range.
Jack Rideout again ruled the line-out, which secured Norton a plentiful supply of ball and enabled Norton to disrupt the Walcot ball. Hooker, Mike Evans, profited when he also went over for a well-taken, close-range try.
Fly half, Steve Penny, kicked four conversions and also kept the home side firmly on the back foot with some impressive touch kicking.
Both centres added a try apiece, Ed Mills and Finn McDermott, bursting through the line to score. Winger,Tom Lovell, very nearly increased the tally after cutting a superb line, but was just stopped short. Norton were not to be thwarted though, as the Murphy's supporting lines ensured they were able to cut loose.
The second half saw Norton ring the changes with scrum half, Dan Moon, making a welcome return after a long injury lay off. Joe Travetti, Craig Spruce and Tim Sheppard also entered the fray and put in a good shift to ensure Norton coasted to the all-important win.