Sat 1 Oct 2022, 15:00
Midsomer Norton 46-22 Cleve
Cleve started strong in the first 15 minutes scoring two tries, making inroads in the midfield and finishing efficiently.
Their confidence was flowing and Norton were unable to get a foothold in the game until Connor Schuster changed the momentum of the game by turning over Cleve’s number 8 from the back of a scrum around the midway point of the first half. From this point onwards the Norton players upped the tempo and physicality and took the game to the opposition.
After withstanding more pressure from the visitors, it was the home side who scored on the 30 minute mark, when after another turnover, the ball was moved quickly before Hugh Jeffery made an incisive break to set up Sam Church to score under the posts. A conversion and a penalty before the break made the score 10 v 12 at half time.
The second half was largely dominated by the men in Red and White due to commitment to the breakdown, superior kicking game and some individual flair.
Mitch Rose made his return to the field and his impact on the game was immense, setting up two tries with skilful offloads, one for Sam Church and another for Keiron Humphries. Humphries scored 3 in total on the day showing predator instinct, pace and determination. Indeed the whole team chased and harassed relentlessly giving Cleve little respite.
Cleve scored twice to briefly regain the lead in the second half but then the floodgates opened late-on as they began to fall off tackles and lose a bit of impetus in the breakdown whilst Norton kept their intensity for the remainder of the game and reaped their rewards.
The final score was 46-22 and the crowd were thoroughly entertained and showed their appreciation for a job well done. When looked back upon, this game will be surely be remembered for 'Sonny Bill' Mitch Rose offload’s and Lewis Dyer’s world-class volley from fullback.
