Avon Win Bath Combination Vase Again

Although the conditions were appalling with incessant driving rain, both sides surprisingly tried to keep the ball alive by playing an open handling game. Whilst there were no tries, the match proved entertaining as both sets of players cast caution to the wind in seeking to probe for openings in attack and were only repelled by committed defence.

Avon showed their early game plan as they moved the ball wide through a series of phases and were rewarded as Stotherts infringed to allow Sam Rowlands, playing in the unfamiliar fly half position, to slot the opening penalty. With Avon dominating the set pieces and Jake Dixon proving a magnet with his powerful drives in the loose, they forced Stotherts on the defensive for long periods and, despite missing two difficult penalty chances, doubled their lead with another Rowlands penalty.

Stotherts struck back with dangerous runs from Carl Taylor and Ben Withey and reduced the deficit as Liam Crooks chipped over a penalty in front of the posts before Avon unfortunately lost all-action flanker Scott Book with a shoulder injury shortly before half time.

As conditions worsened in the second half, Avon enjoyed a spell of ascendancy with Kai Harwood leading some powerful attacks from the front but were unable to make the decisive breakthrough. Stotherts again responded strongly with some intense pressure but were denied by Avon’s hard working back row and midfield defence where Damien Sawyer and Stuart Thompson soaked up everything thrown at them.

With both sides spilling attempted interceptions that could have proven decisive, Stotherts levelled the scores at 6 points apiece when Crooks added his second penalty to set up a nail-biting finale. Despite feeling the effects of their 5th game in 15 days, Avon increased their intensity and earned another penalty for Rowlands to restore their wining lead to clock up a personal tally of 350 points for the season.

From the restart, Avon drove the ball deep into Stotherts territory and spent the final ten minutes camped inside their opponents 22 before the referee’s whistle signalled the start of Avon’s celebrations, which will continue at their annual dinner and awards evening next Friday 4th May.