Back on the Winning Trail

Scoring in the first half proved difficult as Wells competed gamely to thwart the black and amber attacks. Meanwhile Avon were perhaps guilty of trying to force the issue and squandered several promising positions.

Eventually a Jonny Batchelor penalty settled things down and the pack started to get on top in the forward exchanges. With Jake Coates controlling tactics from fly half and Zak Harwood and Escher le Duc punching holes in midfield, chances started to appear. One flowing attack down the left saw blind side wing Iain Parris make the extra man before the ball was moved back infield to the supporting Batchelor who cruised over to touch down under the posts. The successful conversion led to a 10 point lead at half time.

After the break, Avon enjoyed a purple patch with a series of fluent attacks launched from an increasingly dominant pack. A forward charge resulted in quickly recycled ball with a long cut-out pass allowing Matt Thresher to score in the corner. Shortly afterwards, Xander Hall-Davis showed some deft handling to offload before Thresher cut back inside for another converted try.

Then another flowing attack resulted in the prolific Thresher completing his hat-trick with his 22nd try of the season.

With a 29 point lead, the game then lost some momentum and Avon suffered 2 yellow cards in the last 10 minutes. After some heroic defence by the remaining 13 players, Wells eventually made their extra men count as centre Leo Hamblin broke through for a converted consolation try. However, Avon had the last word as replacement Jack Moore finished off another scintillating attack with their final try in the last move of the game. Batchelor again slotted the conversion in a 16 point personal haul.

Avon have no game on Easter Saturday before travelling to take on league champions Taunton 2nds the following week.