MIDSOMER NORTON 20 NORTH DORSET 13

NORTH Dorset had to settle for a losing bonus point as they were edged out by Southern Counties South leaders Midsomer Norton.

The visitors kicked off and applied some pressure early on before Midsomer took the lead after 15 minutes.

The hosts won a penalty, put the ball deep into North territory, and from the resulting line-out used their impressive driving maul to power over the whitewash.

North hit back with good carries from Adam Trevis, Thomas Hooper and Rob Morris, although the final pass was wayward.

Midsomer then made their way up the pitch and once again North’s discipline let them down.

From a quick tap penalty, North weren’t back 10 metres and Dom Aviss was sent to the bin.

Having kicked to the corner, Midsomer drove over again for a carbon-copy of their first try with 29 minutes gone.

Down to 14 men, North dug deep, James Russo turning the ball over at the breakdown and allowing his side to counter.

Adam Geal broke free and, with a penalty advantage, Sam Baker spotted full-back Thomas Stewart in open space. Geal put in a perfect cross-field kick for Stewart to score. Baker converted to make it 10-7.

North were now playing with more confidence and Robbie Sampson, Lewis Munster, Will Willoughby and Sam Cuff all linked up well.

Midsomer buckled under the pressure and gave away a penalty, Baker kicking the points to draw the visitors level on 37 minutes.

From the restart, North fell asleep and Midsomer took charge, scoring in the corner despite Stacy Dyer’s best efforts.

And not long after the start of the second period, the hosts were in again, increasing their lead to 20-10 with a fourth try.

Midsomer started to try and pin North back but strong runs from Lewis Munster and Mindaugas Kazlauskas gave the away side some solid field position.

George Clayton, who was making his first appearance of the season, made a nuisance of himself at the breakdown, on one occasion turning the ball over and allowing North to counter.

North’s pressure told and Midsomer gave away another penalty which Baker converted for 20-13 with 20 minutes left.

North were firmly on top and strong runs from Baker and Sam Trevis put them into the oppositions’ 22. But the home defence held strong and they won a turnover before clearing their lines.

Replacements Thomas Gale and Joshua Wyman put North on the front foot again, however, having won a penalty, Baker’s kick didn’t have the legs in the wind and it dropped short.

In the dying moments, centre Geal made a fantastic break, slicing through and going over the line only for the referee to rule that the ball had been held up.

North now turn their attentions to Devizes at home this Saturday.