Sat 29 Oct 2022, 15:00
Midsomer Norton 42-17 Old Bristolians
Centre Hugh Jeffrey scored four tries in another fantastic clash at Norton Down.
The home side had the advantage of the wind in the First half and Jeffrey's earned two trademark tries, cutting two fantastic lines from distance off of the 10 James Abbot at pace. These were both converted by Taylor and sandwiched a powerful try of his to build a healthy early lead. However, when Old Bristolians pulled one back just before half time, and with the conditions favouring them second half, the game still felt very much in the balance at 21-5. Two yellow cards for Norton also gave the away side an unnecessary advantage.
Old Bristolians tested the nerves of the crowd and supporters with an early try, which couldn't be converted, but Norton then lost the influential Schuster for a long ten minutes as Old Bristolians reduced the deficit to just four points with a Penalty Try after a dominant scrum.
Momentum had shifted but just as Norton supporters feared the worst, the team showed their class and mental fortitude to pull away once more. Hugh Jeffrey added two more from unstoppable runs, albeit from slightly closer range than in the first half.
Meanwhile the home side had solved problems at scrum time - with huge credit to the debutant replacement prop Jackson Carey - and Joe Button earned himself a try from the back of one, batting away potential obstacles away as he drove over from close range.
The victory means a young Norton side have won 5 of their opening 8 fixtures, and sit fourth ahead of a trip to fifth placed Nailsea next Saturday.
