With all other matches falling foul of the weather it was left to the Midsomer Norton RFC 3rds to entertain the massed crowds at Norton Down on Saturday.

This they did as they put in a spirited performance to run out eventual winners 34-22 in a hard fought game against local rivals Keynsham.

Things did not start well for Norton as Keynsham seized on two loose passages of play to race into an early 14-0 lead.

Norton looked to have hit back from a well executed driving maul but the referee was unsighted and the chance was gone.

It didn't take long, however, for Norton to claw their way back into the game.

From a lineout deep in their half the ball was swept wide and some neat interplay between the backs set up the opportunity for fly half Jon Swift to dummy and weave his way to the line. Full back Andrew Best added the extras.

Norton moved closer still when scrum half Richard Slater pounced from close range, following some good driving work by the pack.

The visitors responded by scoring out wide to extend their lead before Norton number eight Tyron Dallimore went over shortly before half time. This left the game evenly poised with Keynsham leading 19 points to 17.

The second half was tightly contested but as the game wore on Norton began to break loose. Early in the half Keynsham added a penalty to extend their lead before Norton hit back.

Prop Will Edgell profited from some good prolonged periods of Norton pressure as twice he was on hand to power over for his brace of tries.

Replacement Scot Goddard nearly went the length but was just stopped short but his feat was emulated soon after when Colts winger Harry Smith did just that and raced away for a well taken try, which he converted to seal the win.

Both sides played some excellent rugby in the conditions. From a Norton point of view it was great to see Nick Higgs return to action after a long lay off with a knee ligament injury.

Next week sees all three teams at home for the first time this season. The 1st team will be looking to get back to winning ways in Western Counties North against Old Bristolians, the 2nd team have what already looks like a crunch league game in Somerset 1 against Old Sulians and the 3rd team are home to Taunton in Somerset 3 South. All games kick off at 3pm.