Nailsea & Backwell fought back from behind for the second game running to edge out a Counties 1 Tribute Western North thriller 35-34 at Midsomer Norton last Saturday. 

 

With both sides occupying two of the top three places before the game it was the Ravens who had a very challenging week in the run up to the fixture with most of the side unable to train with illness.

 

Norton landed a penalty but then Adam Grafton scored for the Ravens after a break from the outstanding Alex Jones, who landed the conversion from out wide. 

 

Norton responded well and scored three good tries through winger Kieron Humphries and Hugh Jeffrey. Nailsea faced a 24-7 deficit heading towards half-time but Jones once again was the playmaker as he set up Ben Perfect who finished well and jones landed another crucial conversion from out side to make it 24-14 at the break. 

 

Nailsea’s prop Jack McCormick gave his teammates a gee up at half-time and they reacted straight away as Nick Badcock scored and Jones added the extras. 

 

Norton responded with a try of their own through a good forward drive from full-back Tom Rideout. 

 

At 29-21 then next score seemed crucial and it 18-year-old Evan Williams ,on his second appearance for the first team, who scored after good carrying from Ryan Barrow. 

 

Norton’s star centre Hugh Jeffrey responded straight from kick-off but again with the conversion missed at 34-28 Nailsea knew that that a converted try could pinch an unlikely win. 

 

With time up, Nailsea were pick and going close to the Norton line.

 

As Norton turned the ball over, they rolled the ball back to their own side but crucially over the try line and McCormick dived on it to score the winner with Jones added the extras to seal a memorable afternoon.

 

Nailsea & Backwell return to action Saturday at Old Bristolians.