Taunton Warriors 41 Midsomer Norton 66

It is not often that a team scores seven tries in a game and still ends up on the losing side, but that was the case for Taunton Warriors as Midsomer Norton crossed the line ten times in a remarkable 17-try encounter.

Despite the scoreline, the Warriors were never outclassed and created plenty of opportunities. However, a series of mistakes and some uncharacteristic missed tackles proved costly.

After just three minutes, with the Warriors pressing in attack, the ball was turned over by the powerful Midsomer forwards. Centre Hugh Jefferey seized the opportunity to score the opening try for the visitors, with Luke Daniels adding the conversion.

Ten minutes in, the Warriors produced an excellent first scrum and were awarded a penalty — one of eight conceded by Midsomer in the first half. Unfortunately, the resulting lineout was lost, allowing Midsomer to clear their lines.

On eighteen minutes Jefferey struck again, reading a Warriors pass perfectly to intercept. With only one defender to beat, he produced a well-timed pass to winger Kieran Humphries, who ran in for the try.

The Warriors continued to stick to their game plan and were rewarded when Henry Webb finished off a well-worked move for their first try of the afternoon.

Almost immediately from the restart, however, the Warriors were turned over at the maul once more and Scott Anderson was able to pick up and score.

Midsomer’s fourth try came from a driving maul following one of only two penalties conceded by the Warriors in the first half, with Jefferey claiming his second try of the match and securing the visitors’ bonus point. Their fifth followed on 27 minutes when outside half John Abbot crossed the line, Daniels converting to give Midsomer a commanding 35–5 lead.

The final ten minutes of the half belonged to the Warriors and only resolute Midsomer defence kept them out. Eventually the pressure told when George “Kilo” Francis, unstoppable once he builds momentum from ten metres out, powered over for a try. The conversion left the half-time score at Warriors 12 – 35 Midsomer.

The Warriors began the second half brightly. Andrew Bevan, who had already made several powerful runs, crashed over for a try which was converted as the comeback attempt began.

But another Midsomer turnover soon halted the momentum, with number eight John Botton picking up to score. Daniels added the extras.

On the hour mark, Sam Snell showed great skill and pace to break through for a Warriors try, again converted. Yet almost immediately Midsomer struck back as Daniels collected the ball, arced around the defence and raced clear to score. Ironically, his own try proved to be the only conversion he missed all afternoon.

The Warriors responded in kind. Centre Erroll Pearson demonstrated his blistering pace, scoring two tries in five minutes when given space. Suddenly the Warriors were just 18 points behind and firmly in the ascendency.

However, a rare penalty conceded allowed Midsomer to kick to touch, win the lineout and drive over from a maul for another converted try.

Young prop Charlie Harris, who had made several impressive carries, had earlier been replaced by another promising youngster Jan Davison, and on 73 minutes Davison crossed for the Warriors’ seventh try.

With the clock approaching 80 minutes, a loose ball was gathered by Midsomer who went over for their tenth try to seal a 66–41 victory.

It was encouraging to see the return of Ollie Massey-Birch, whose experience helped guide a very talented group of young backs.

The Warriors have no game this coming weekend but return to action away at Chosen Hill on 21 March, before a home fixture at Summerfield Stadium on 28 March against league leaders Nailsea & Backwell.

If they can reproduce the attacking performance shown last Saturday, the Warriors will feel capable of winning their final five games.

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