Winscombe made too many errors and crash at home to Midsomer Norton.

Winscombe 8 pts

Midsomer Norton 27 pts

WINSCOMBE were beaten at home by Midsomer Norton, errors proving costly in the end.

For the majority of the first quarter Winscombe had most of the territory, but mistakes were made at crucial moments when the line was in sight. Norton eventually broke out from their 22 and after a series drives, took the lead with a try under the posts.

Good work by Howell, Ford and Will Thomas was wasted and the visitors countered and scored again for a 10-0 lead.

A penalty by Howell put three points on the board for Winscombe, but Norton scored again under the posts to increase their lead. In the final seven minutes of the half, Winscombe played well, but once again a mistake gave the Norton pack a foothold five metres out and their powerful No 8 drove over for a bonus point try on half-time.

Winscombe had in many ways played well, but had been outgunned by a well-organised group of more powerful individuals. So it is to their credit they stuck to their task against the wind and matched Norton with a try apiece in the second half. They spent the first 11 minutes in Norton territory to earn a well deserved try. Robinson stole a line-out, Winscombe ran a quick penalty, won a scrummage, made ground through Howell, Flower and Jimmy Dibble, won another penalty (which drew a yellow card) and the following line-out, took a strike against the head and Hooper chipped to the corner for Dibble to squeeze in via the flag.

For the next 10 minutes Winscombe defended well, bolstered by Ball and Dibble, against concerted attacks, but when Norton kicked for the corner from a penalty, their driving maul from the line-out proved unstoppable.

In the final quarter, Norton had more of the possession and territory, but Winscombe continued to defend with great spirit and managed to break out on a couple of occasions with runs from Ball, Flower and Thomas.