The Thirds played their first game of 2017 on Saturday, when they entertained Wiveliscombe Seconds at Norton Down. Despite the score line, Norton competed well in a tightly contested game. It was the visitors who ran out worthy winners though, as their superior finishing ability showed.

A new-look Norton side had a number of seventeen-year-olds playing their first game for the club in Liam Shakespeare, Liam Shaw and Alex Higgs. All three of them made promising debuts, with a crunching tackle from Higgs of particular note.

The first half was evenly contested. Wiveliscombe took the lead before delighted veteran prop, Dave Williams, charged over from close range to score his first ever senior try. Fly half, Rob Fuller, converted to put Norton into a brief lead.

Wiveliscombe scored twice more before the break, which saw them leading 17–7 at half-time.

The second half saw the visitors add further tries, but Norton pressure was rewarded when first lock, Greg Jones, powered over to score a well deserved try, which was again converted by Fuller. Centre, Jon Swift, then completed the scoring when he jinked down the blind side and beat his man with ease.

Norton are on the road next week when they travel to Yeovil.