Following the side’s win the previous week, Norton started with confidence and took an early lead in this fixture with a penalty goal from Taylor. The visitors were soon on the scoreboard when they scored a converted try, but Taylor closed the gap with a second penalty goal. Some poor kicks from Norton allowed the visitors time and space to make ground out of defence and they scored a well-worked second try.

The home side’s scrummage started to be dominant, giving a good platform to attack from, but for the second week in a row, Norton, having both territory and possession advantage, struggled to score while playing down the slope. Taylor scored all the team’s first half points, with three penalty kicks.

Starting the second half down the hill, Drybrook kicked long into the corner and caught Norton cold, collecting their third try of the match within seconds of the restart. Putting the slow second half start behind them, the home side’s forwards started to take control of the game, with good driving mauls from their impeccable lineout.

Playing much the better rugby, the home supporters were expecting Norton to add to their points tally and flanker, Button, was the first to do that. As the game broke up, Button forced his way over the line to score an unconverted try.

Next to score was Number 8, Denning, who had been deprived earlier, when he was beaten by the referee’s whistle and brought back only to be awarded a penalty. He dotted down the ball as he controlled it at the back of a scrummage for a push-over try. Taylor added the extra points to draw the game 21 points apiece.

With the game now in its closing minutes, a draw looked imminent. A speculative but superb cross field kick from the Drybrook fly half was collected by their left-hand winger to score in the corner to regain the lead and win the game for the visitors. Mitch Rose continues his run of good performances in the first team, especially as he was playing out of position in the second row.