Bath 25 Midsomer Norton 13

Norton's big day out at Bath's Recreation Ground was a disappointment only in terms of the result. On evenings like these, for the Norton team and the club's loyal followers, it's genuinely the taking part that counts.

Under floodlights in a typical Somerset drizzle, the two teams happily tore into each other on the venerable old Rec. Bath were initially the more effective, and the Premiership outfit found themselves 12-0 up while Norton were still winding laboriously through the gears. 

But at full tilt, as they were throughout the middle section of this game, Norton are fierce and unpredictable enough to give any of their more wealthy neighbours a jolt.  Mark Parfitt is surely one of the canniest line-out jumpers in the region, and the big men up front, Gary Maundrill and Kev Stephens, can lift and trudge all day long. 

Although Paul Carey found himself unusually absent from the score-sheet, he popped up in open play to catch and pass like a centre, while Wayne Cole in the boiler-room made this an uncomfortable afternoon for the over-rated and strangely timid Bath pack. 

Robin Browning chivvied tirelessly round the fringes, and Tyrone Dallimore consistently flattened the Bath Number 8 well before the gain-line. It was therefore only a matter of time before Norton staged a comeback, with the powerful Rob Fuller bursting his way through several weak tackles to score jubilantly beneath the posts. 

Steve Penny converted, and after half-time it was Penny again who capitalised on Stuart Parker's unorthodox approach-work with a scrambled try of his own, touching down delicately in the corner. 

As handling became increasingly difficult, the wily Richard Beard drifted left and right, launching Ian Tiley on some great angles into the heart of the home midfield, while burly Julian Hawkins was equal to every challenge a full-back can face. Tom Lovell on the wing was a tiger in the tackle, and no-one worked harder than the ever-reliable Paul Bird. For long periods, as Norton surged and battled, it seemed as if Bath had left their commitment in the gym.

This was a special day out for all those involved, not least because of the unforgettable Norton roar made by the horde of travelling faithful.  Such enthusiastic and cheerful support is testament to the rude good health of Midsomer Norton Rugby Club at the end of another eventful season.

Although the first team may have missed out on major prizes, most notably in Europe, the club should be enormously grateful to coach Neil Denning and his son Matthew for their unswerving commitment to the cause on match-days.

Next week: Home vs Chew Valley