Winscombe lost at Midsomer Norton, despite opening the scoring.

Midsomer Norton 31 pts

Winscombe 12 pts

FOR the third week in a row, Winscombe got off to a flying start with a try in the opening minutes.

Openside flanker Aaron Ford took a clean catch from the kick-off and the ball was returned to the Norton 22. George House’s chip to the left corner saw James Flower touch down for an unconverted try.

Winscombe limited their attacks to their midfield and made a couple of good breaks, but the Norton defence was strong and never short of numbers. Hooker Dan Fryer made a good run but, lacking more support, was turned over close to the line.

Three minutes before half-time, Winscombe were punished for failing to extend their lead. Norton took a quick penalty to score a converted try. More poor tackling led to another try, despite a brave tackle by full-back Cam Lapes.

From another dynamic ruck, the Winscombe defence was easily pierced for a converted try under the posts. Winscombe were now under pressure, and conceded three more points from a penalty kick.

In 16 minutes, a slender lead of 0-5 had been turned around to a 24-5 deficit, but to Winscombe’s credit they dug deep to stem the tide as Norton continued to press. Stand-in No 8 Chris Aske did some particularly good work under pressure. Howell appeared to be taking too much on himself, but eventually the midfield trio broke the Norton stranglehold and made it to the Norton 22.

Winscombe eventually scored a try when James Carter, standing at outside half, put Howell into a gap from a line-out on the Winscombe 10 metre line. The clean break set up a two-on-one and a perfectly timed pass sent James Flower in on a long run for a converted try.

Having made the score look more respectable, loose play let Norton in for a bonus point converted try.