With 11 players unavailable before the game and another 3 forced off with injuries during the match, this was always going to be a severe test of Avon’s resources. So it proved as Chew soon realised that Avon were fielding a makeshift back line and exploited this through their own dangerous backs to score 4 tries inside the first half to build up a commanding 29 nil lead by half time.

Facing this huge deficit, Avon showed great spirit after the interval as their pack gradually gained the upper hand with some standout performances from Chaz Meddick, Chris Mutlow, Kane Book and Ian Burnell. With youngsters Xander Davis and Matt Thresher (on his debut) also showing some useful touches, this allowed Avon to claw their way back into the game with 3 tries of their own. These were all scored by predatory hooker Ben Hurd, the first 2 from powerful line out drives and the third to finish off a flowing counter-attack.

Zak Harwood added two conversions and Avon strove valiantly for another score to earn a consolidation bonus point try but were eventually undone as Chew stretched their lead still further with another couple of scores after some excellent handling and support play.

Next week Avon travel to Chosen Hill when they hope that some of their injured contingent may have recovered.