Under 18's
2019-20 Fixtures
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Coaches:
Dave Williams
Tel: 07779 727558
Email: deadlydavedd@gmail.com
Andrew Best
Tel: 07455023317
Email:
Lyndon Beeho
Tel: 07305732614
Email:
Match Reports
Read Archived Match Reports Here
2019 -2020 Season
Dorchester 17 v MNRFC 15
23rd Feb 2020
A long old drive and a frustrating game of rugby to watch from a Midsomer Norton supporters point of view, in the Quarter finals of the Dorset and Wilts cup.
The home team put the pressure on from the start with the elements in their favour and were more aggressive at the breakdown turning over Norton’s ball at critical times of the game. But resilient defence, Especially from Tom Wiltshire and Zack who never missed a tackle all game kept Dorchester from scoring until the quarter of an hour mark.
Norton’s scrum was put under immense pressure from the start, resulting in poor ball at the base for the backs to use. And a missed tackle allowed a converted try for the hosts to extend their lead. On the rare visit to their opponents twenty two, Cormac drove over to cut the arrears to 12-5 at the break after a good period of pressure.
The second half was a bit brighter but it was only the last quarter of the game that the visitors seemed to up the intensity, but not before the lead was extended after a strong forward run by Dorchester.
Then a change in positioning led to turn around and all of a sudden Nor were on the front foot and this came from Zack stealing his opponents line out ball and Deadly at flyhalf changing the direction of play and making a strong fifty meter run deep into Dorchester’s half. A few phases later a good pass from Jake K put Deadly in the corner and with five mins to go he scored his second from an identical position to pull the game back to within two points.
Then a neck injury to Harry with three minutes left, meant the teams had to change pitches and Dorchester closed the game out well to run out deserved winners.
Speedy recovery to Harry who received some ligament damage and will be out for six weeks.
Next week Norton Colts are home against Wiveliscombe.
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Combe Down 0 Midsomer Norton 34
2nd Feb 2020
Back to friendly action for Norton colts this week as they travelled to Combe down. Young Nathan Beales took on the captaincy as Zack was injured.
A bright start and quick hands enabled Noah and Kieran to score quick tries.
Then a training ground move was just held up on the line and quick thinking by prop Jamie Day, as he pounced on the loose ball to score, converted by Finn.
Max then extended the lead with a good finish out wide to take a 22-0 lead at the break.
The second half turned into a bit of a hard slog and it wasn’t until the last ten minutes that Norton got their act back together. With tries from Henry and Zack, one converted by Archie to finish the game at 34-0. Good game from Norton’s Cormac Engledow and thanks to Harry and Elliot for filling in for the opposition team when they went short.
Next week the colts travel to Dorchester in the quarterfinals of the D&W cup.
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Somerset Cup
North Petherton 13 v Midsomer Norton 10
25th Jan 202
Norton travelled to North Petherton for a rare colts Saturday match in the Q final of the Somerset Cup, and what a great cup match it was with both teams giving their all. Both teams had plenty of chances to score more points but great a defensive efforts stopped this happening.
Petherton were the first to score after five minutes after getting the ball out wide, their quick winger going over in the corner.
Norto then came back into the game and squandered a couple of chances to hit back. Their scrum was super dominant and ball retention into contact good.
Turning around at the interval, Henry pulled the scores level after a strong drive from close range.
The home team then broke away against the run of play and one missed tackle at the back of a lineout allowed their backs to break clear and retake the lead.
With ten minutes left a typical Finn try levelled the scores.
And five minutes from the end North Petherton kicked a penalty to lead 13-10. Even though the visitors bombarded the home defence in the remaining time, they were unable to get over the line.
A great performance by both teams.
Norton travel to Combe Down next Sunday for a friendly match.
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Wells 5 v Midsomer Norton 6
19th Jan 2020
The long awaited clash of the Mendips finally happened in the deciding game in the Dorset & Wilts merit table (North).
Midsomer Norton needing a win to stay undefeated and thus win the league by a point.
And that’s exactly what they done in a victory by a single point.
Both teams defensive effort was to take no prisoners, and after only a few chances to each team, the score remained scoreless at half time, even though Norton had a player sin binned for the last minutes of the half. Nor couldn’t get going offensively, especially out wide where they looked slightly sharper. Wells defence shut the channel down well, to stop the ball carrier in midfield.
Norton dominated the scrum with Gregory, Maclaclan Maggs and Williams getting the better of their opposite numbers and but for the one and a half metre pushing rule, would of sucked all the energy out of the home pack. Captain Zack again disrupted his opponent’s ball and this led to the Wells lineout being ineffective.
Norton were first to score with a penalty kick by Finn from thirty metres out.
Wells got back after some good pressure and defensive numbers ran out and the wells number seven touched down out wide, to take the lead.
The visitors kept their discipline and with five minutes left, earned a penalty. Finn fancied his chances even though on this occasion it was forty metres away from the posts.
He struck the ball beautifully and cleared the posts by some distance.
Norton then played out the rest of the time to win a hard fought match and the league title All season the lads have worked hard and deserve the accolade of being champions.
Next Saturday the colts travel to North Petherton in the Somerset cup Quarter final 2:30 pm ko
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MNRFC 26 v Sherborne 5
Sherborne visited Norton down for a friendly fixture. With both teams being able to experiment with players in different positions and different combinations.
Sherborne took a 5-0 lead into the second half, after a resolute defensive shift from the home team and probably should’ve scored a couple themselves too.
Norton then turned around in the second half and used the strong breeze to their advantage, and after a few minutes Noah sprinted down the right wing to score.
Jake Kilburn, hitting a bit of form scored next, breaking through a couple of tackles to get over the line.
Finn was next up after a typical abrasive run from close range to score out wide after a great line run by Deadly in the midfield. Finn converted his own try and the two tries either side of his to round off a good half for him.
Finally after good interaction between forwards and backs the home teams No 8 Nathan Beales charged over the line to score in Ashton style.
Solid all round 23 man squad performance.
Next week, hopefully away to Wells in Norton’s final merit league match.
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Marlborough 17 v MNRFC 22
5th Jan 2020
After three weeks without a game, over indulgence at Christmas and the lurgy within the team. Norton’s colts traveled the long old trek to Marlborough.
With the opposition not having a front row, the game turned out to be a bit of a flop.
Jake Kilburn touched down first for Nor after good hands spread the ball wide and with a few yards to go wasn’t going to be stopped.
The home team hit straight back with a score before Finn regained the lead with a strong run from within the 22 meter line. Once again the home team hit back to level the scores going into the break level. Norton should have been a couple of scores up though if chances had been taken.
Captain Zack with his non stop work turned the ball over close to Marlborough’s line and dived over to retake the lead.
Kieran then added another to make up for dropping the ball over the line in the first half converted by Luke to take a 22-10 lead and looking on control. But the home team came back well with a converted try of their own and put late pressure on the visitors near the end, but wasn’t enough to stop Norton winning the game
Man of the match was Charlie Gumbleton who made some great tackles during the game.
Next weekend the colts travel to Wells knowing a win would clinch the Dorset and Wilts North Division Merit Table by a point , but this will be a very hard game and could go either way.
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MNRFC 12 v Frome Academy 0
8th Dec 2019
Frome Academy travelled to play Midsomer Norton U18s, in what turned out to be a proper old local derby with no one wanting to give an inch of ground. Strong running and trench like tackling were the theme for the day in what was a well disciplined game.
On a very cold and blustery day with the ball being wet from a hail storm minutes before ko, Norton played up hill and into the strong elements.
The order of the day was to keep the score down the first half and work hard to get points the second half.
In a nut shell that’s what the home team did, not only keeping the score down but turning around at half time holding Frome to 0-0.
Fantastic tackling and disruption thwarted attack after attack, earning a moral lead going into the break.
Frome did the same to Norton at the beginning of the half but real pressure at scrum and lineout time gradually wore the visitors down The big difference was Norton’s kicking for territory, using the wind to great effect Kieran, Finn and Tom all kicked well.
Ten minutes into the half Jacob Hobbs-Simpson pounced on a loose ball from the back of an under pressure scrum, to score, this was converted by Archie.
It took another ten minutes for the next score, again Jacob was on the end of a great kick and chase by Tom and the now more energetic Norton players. Hassling the Frome full back turned the ball over and two quick off loads enabling the final score.
The rest of the match was played in the Frome half where the wind and Norton’s dogged determination not to let Frome score won the day.
Fantastic game of Rugby and both clubs should be proud of the efforts all players put in.
The only negative was a fractured collar bone for Norton’s hooker James Stratford suffered in the last ten minutes.
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Midsomer Norton 50 v Old Bristolians17
1st Dec 2019
Old Bristolians visited Norton for the first meeting between these two age groups.
Once again the home team had to lend their opponents some players to make up the numbers and those that did put in a sterling effort.
It was Old Bristolians who scored first, after a couple of missed tackles and lack of concentration from the home side, early doors.
This kicked started Norton’s game and from a break off the back of a scrum Henry drove over, minutes later Luke ran a good line to score under the posts. This was followed by a Noah try, two were converted by Kieran to take the half time score to 19 -5.
Noah continued where he left off and ran in two tries early in the half, to complete his hat trick,after some good interaction between forwards and backs. Old Bristolians then had a purple patch and it was two Norton players that scored for them, from close range, Haydn and Cormac, one converted to pull the score line back.
Good hands and a big overlap allowed Luke to score his second try, after Archie selflessly give him a walk in score.
Henry then got his second with an abrasive drive from a few meters out.
Deadly got his third try, after running a strong line, he received a nicely weighted pass from Zack. This was converted by Henry with the last play of the game.
Over all a good performance though not for the whole seventy minutes. Pluses were good inter play between forwards and backs and strong running from man of the match Tom Wiltshire, who had a good all round performance.
Next week Norton host local rivals Frome in the Dorset and Wilts Merit table match 2:00 pm ko
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Corsham 14 v Midsomer Norton 22
24th Nov 2019
Midsomer Norton colts travelled to Corsham to help out their hosts who only had 11 players and who hadn’t had any game time for a while.
Lending them different players to make up a fifteen aside game. And playing over three thirds rather than two halves.
Along way from an attractive match to watch Norton ended up victors by 22-14 with tries by Harry Smith, Cormac Engledow and two from the inform Kieran Beeho, who also played twenty minutes for Corsham.
Thanks to All the Norton boys who put in 100% playing for the opposition. The only positive being extended game time for all.
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Kingswood 2nds 29 v Midsomer Norton 3rds 22
16th Nov 2019
A very different looking Norton thirds travelled to Kingswood in a prearranged game to introduce the under 18s colts players into the senior game.
This transition game took half a dozen senior players and twelve colts from Norton to play a squad of six colts plus twenty two seniors from Kingswood in what was billed as a friendly fixture. Both teams put in 100% and turned out to be very competitive until the final whistle.
From the kick off the home team used their massive weight and size advantage to run at Norton, and looked set to score after five minutes, until Charlie Gumbleton set the tone for the match by cutting his opponent in half with a fantastic tackle near the try line. His much larger opponent was winded and looked totally shocked. Minutes later Charlie again tackled another monster, his opposite winger to thwart the move.
After 10 minutes Kingswood opened the scoring but hit the post with the conversion to take the lead.
Almost instantly Norton hit back and with old and young linking well it was uncle Tim Sheppard who made the space and popped the ball to his nephew Tom Wiltshire, who scored under the posts. Archie converting to take the lead. Second row Swifty was next to go over the try line as he received an offload and sprinted in from ten metres out.
Two tries from the home team regained the lead for them going into the break.
Another family debut at the start of the second half for Nor as Deadly senior came on to play with his son and nephew in their first senior game for the club together. Swift got his second try after some good Norton pressure, a good catch from Zack at the front of the lineout enabled Swift to join the driving maule and flop over the line.
A quiet 10 minutes from the visitors led to two more home tries, and what would of ended up a score line that didn’t reflect the tightness of the game. But with ten colts on the pitch now and minutes left. Norton clawed a try back after good hands, saw winger Maclaclan touch down in the corner. With one last roll of the dice, again the ball got spun wide, unfortunately being knocked on when it looked like the game was going to end up a draw.
A disappointing weekend result wise for the seniors but the commitment of all the young colts against much bigger men and the confidence shown by the backs in attack was a massive positive for the clubs future.
Thanks to all of them and the oldies too for a great days rugby.
Man of the match for Norton was no7 Zack Neilson
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Devizes 27 v Midsomer Norton 32
10th Nov 2019
Well this game was eventually turned around with no time left on the clock as the home team had romped into a 17-0 lead within ten minutes of the kickoff
. The first try was after a strong passage of play, pressure told and the try was scored with a long conversion a Bonus. Norton responded well but after a deflection from a kick through the ball popped up in to a Devizes hand for an interception try. With the conversion and a penalty kick the home team looked comfortable with their lead.
Eventually Nor started to claw their way back and Henry scored from a good catch and drive five metres out. A strong bustling run from Haon got the second back before Luke scored to bring the game within two points.
Devizes then scored a try after a silly off load from Norton who were in the ascendancy by this time. Again the try was converted and another penalty kick gave them a commanding lead with ten minutes remaining.
Then after a good talking to Nor responded with strong running rugby and hard clearing out of the ruck and this led to tries from Jacob HS out wide and Charlie who did very well to ground the ball with two men on his back.
Two points behind into the last play and after strong runs from Alfie, Haydn and deadly, the ball eventually came along the line for Archie to score, he also added the conversion to steal a victory at the final whistle.
This was a merit table game brought forward as original opponents Taunton couldn’t raise a team for the Somerset cup match.
At the moment Norton U18s are on top of the Dorset and wilts table after half of their fixtures have now been completed.
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Midsomer Norton 34 v Combe Down 0
3rd Nov 2019
After all the previous two days rain it was doubtful this fixture would be going ahead. But the sun came out and the game was played in glorious sunshine Norton playing down the slope started well and with in the first ten minutes scored two good tries.
Henry driving over from close range followed by Kieran scoring out wide after a gutsy run.
A quiet middle part of the half led to a stalemate as both teams made yards but then lost the ball at the break down, before the try of the game came from a strong burst through the middle from Luke and Archie was on hand to receive the off load and score under the posts.
And within minutes scored his second as his good line speed enabled him to intercept a pass and run in unopposed from the twenty two metre line. Kieran converted both tries to turn around at the break 24-0 up.
Norton made hard work of the second half even though they played some decent rugby, left quite a few points on the pitch.
Finn scored next for Nor, before Cormac took a good crash ball and drove over from close range in the last play of the game.
Final score being 34-0 In Norton’s favour.
Man of the match was Kieran Beeho.
Thanks to the 6 Norton players who helped Combe Down out to make up the numbers during the game.
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Frome 22 v Midsomer Norton 22
18th Oct 2019
Midsomer Norton traveled to Frome for a Friday night under the lights game in a friendly fixture being played in the memory of Lauren Rose Mead a young family member and friend of Frome RFC and it’s players.
A massive crowd of well over two hundred supporters and friends turned up to watch a really competitive match played in good spirit by two committed teams.
Before the game both teams lined up and marked their respects with a minutes applause.
Norton came out of the blocks the quicker and ten minutes in, captain Henry Maclaclan drove over with a powerful drive.
And shortly after more good forward play, scrum half Jacob Hobbs Simpson burrowed underneath the big boys to increase the lead to ten - nil Then the combination of Norton letting their foot of the gas and Frome getting their tails up with the help of their massive support, it was Frome who took control of the game and in quick succession scored three tries all out wide with one converted to take a well deserved lead.
Haydn Ridewood got one back for the visitors just before the break converted by Harry Smith to level the scores at 17-17 at half time.
A very competitive second half saw Frome regain the lead before Tom Sparey equalised midway through the half. A lot of Norton pressure at the end wasn’t converted into points and the scores ended up level, which was an apt result for the occasion.
Great effort and respect from all involved on the night.
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Midsomer Norton 38 v Walcot 10
6th Oct 2019
What a difference a week makes. After last weekends disappointing performance the boys stood up to be counted in their latest merit table fixture against Walcot.
Walcot had the slope and the wind in the first half and for the first twenty minutes pegged Norton deep inside their half but great defensive work kept their visitors down to a solitary penalty kick. Deadly scored and converted Norton’s opening try with ten minutes of the half left.
Before the only sloppy defence of the game allowed Walcot’s strong centre to burst through and score a try which was converted.
And the last play of the half Kieran Beeho touched down with Deadly converting to take a 14-10 lead into the second half.
Noah watts came off the bench at the start of the half and his direct running earned him an instant try.
Deadly then got his second. Before Noah got his second too, both converted by Kieran.
As the half went on the determination to keep a zero point half was impressive as Norton’s defence stayed strong.
And after his best game in a colts team so far Jake Kilburn made the space for Jason Cockerill to score his first colts try out wide.
A good bounce back this week with all players putting in a great shift.
Next week a tough trip to Wells for the U18s next merit game
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Midsomer Norton 12 v Trowbridge 31
29th Sept 2019
After an impressive away victory two weeks previous in the league against Trowbridge. It was Norton’s turn to host them in a friendly fixture on a blustery Norton down afternoon, and this was far from an impressive performance, physically or mentally.
Trowbridge with the elements in the first half hardly let Norton out of their own half. With the strong wind against them the home side made basic errors and poor decisions, which ultimately led to the visitors first try after a lofty pass was intercepted by the flyhalf from ten meters out.
The positive for the home team was their effort in the tackle. Which kept the score to seven points before Trowbridge increased their lead to 14-0 at the break.
Not a bad turn around score considering the conditions but both tries had come from Nors mistakes.
So second half game plan, use the wind and play in the far corner.
And that’s what they did within a minute of the restart with Finn putting a great kick in to touch, Norton won the ensuing lineout and it was Charlie Gumbleton who scored from the back of a maul.
Game on or so you would think but that was the last time this tactic was used all game.
Trowbridge then went on to score two more tries before Kieran scored after a five metre scrum, Luke kicking a good conversation from way out wide into the wind.
Norton’s scrum was dominant and Trowbridge elected to go uncontested to avoid injury.
With minutes left Trow sealed a good victory for them by 31-12.
Back to merit league action next week when Walcot visit Norton Down
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Midsomer Norton 72 North Dorset 5
22nd Sept 2019
North Dorset from the southern half of the Dorset and Wilts league were the visitors to Norton Down Sunday for a friendly fixture.
With a changed starting lineup and four debuts for the colts, Norton were a little slow to get in to the game plan and after some wayward off loads put themselves under unnecessary pressure.
This enabled the visitors to poach the ball from the back of a ruck and score the opening try and for the next five minutes looked the stronger team.
Starting to get their act together Norton then took control of the game and it was Callum Bell who used his pace to score Nors opener. Next up was the try of the match after strong running and great support from no 8 Nathan Beales who ran in under the posts.
Then good hands saw the ball reach the wing and Tom Sparey increased the lead.
Coming off the bench captain Henry made a powerful run from Dorset’s twenty two metre line and drove over the line with tries converted by Harry and Kieran,the home team took a 24-5 lead into the break.
The second half turned out to be one way traffic, but never the less Norton still played some good rugby. Alfie Gregory scored a good props try pumping his legs over the line. Deadly (2) Noah (2) Kieran ,Jacob Simms and Jake Kilburn all added tries, two converted by Harry to take the final score to 72-5 and the game finished ten minutes early.
Really good all round performance for the colts and a positive of three debutants scoring tries and it was Alfie Gregory and Nathan Beales who were men of the match.
Next week Trowbridge are the visitors to Norton Down for another friendly fixture.
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Trowbridge 19 Midsomer Norton 24
15th Sept 2019
New teammates and new combinations for the new season ahead. Midsomer Norton Colts started off their Dorset and wilts merit campaign with a tough trip to Trowbridge in the strong sunshine.
Norton started off well and denied Trowbridge the ball for the opening exchanges.
But it was the hosts who scored first midway through the half after a strong run from their tall second row.
Tom Wiltshire levelled the scores minutes later after good driving play from the forwards from a lineout on the twenty two line, and after multiple drives the ball came out to the fly half who nipped back inside to score.
Trowbridge then regained the lead after a few missed tackles allowed a soft score.
With two minutes of the half left Noah watts ran a superb line and burst through the gap to score, Kieran converting to level the scores at 12-12 at the break.
Both teams battled hard for the first part of the second half, with not a lot between the two sides.
Once again Trowbridge regained the lead with a converted try after their prop drove over from close range which was converted to take a seven point lead into the last fifteen minutes.
The visitors fitness then started to show through and again a great line from Noah allowed him to score his second try.
With the momentum now in Nors favour it was again down to Noah to show his pace and leave would be tacklers in his wake to round off a great performance and complete his hat trick and seal a hard fought victory. The try converted by Harry Smith.
Plenty to work on but a great first outing.
Man of the match was Zack Neilson who stole plenty of opponents ball at the line out and tackled his heart out.