CHOSEN HILL FP 26 MIDSOMER NORTON 12

When the two teams met for the first time in October, Chosen came away with a single point victory after Scott Claridge landed a last minute drop goal and the influential full back was to prove a thorn in their side again as he ran in two of Chosen’s tries.

Playing down the slope and with the wind at their backs, Chosen opened the scoring after twenty minutes when 17 year old scrum-half Nick Bates darted away from a scum on the visitors twenty two and out sprinted the cover to dot down under the posts. Number ten Andy King added the simple conversion.

Five minutes later Chosen doubled their lead to fourteen points when winger Ashley Lewis ran in a try from thirty metres with King again adding the extras. The visitors responded well and after a period of pressure crossed for an unconverted try in the corner.

With half time approaching Chosen bagged their third try, this time a well timed run from Claridge saw him enter the line at pace near the halfway line and Andy King’s precision pass set him free to race in under the posts. King converted for a 21-5 halftime lead.

With the elements now in their favour, the visitors started the second half brightly and were rewarded with a converted try after sixty minutes but Chosen were in no mood to concede further points and strong defence kept their line intact.

Looking for the bonus point try, Chosen launched one final attack and Claridge used his elusive running skills to beat the Midsomer cover to go over for his second try. King missed the conversion but Chosen were home and dry, with the win lifting them up to seventh place in the league.

Next week Chosen are at home again when they entertain top of the table Matson in a match that will also act as a Players Reunion to which all ex-players are invited.