Disappointing loss for 1sts, Outstanding win for 2nds

Within 10 minutes, they found themselves 12 points adrift as poor broken field defence allowed Stroud to touch down two quick fire tries.

Then, a significant decision occurred as Avon worked an overlap down the left wing for Glen Atherton to dive across the try line in the corner before the visiting touch judge belatedly raised his flag to mystify the players and supporters. Referee Martin Bath had no option but to disallow the try which was to later haunt Avon at the end.

Stroud extended their lead with a straightforward midfield move for another converted try before Avon eventually opened their tally. A lineout drive sucked in the visitors defence before the ball was swiftly transferred to the blindside where winger James Leeming raced over for a try in the corner. Although the Avon pack started to build up some momentum with Chaz Meddick, JJ Pulvertaft and Kane Book to the fore, Avon couldn’t generate enough impetus from their backs to pose much of a threat out wide. It was no surprise when the visiting fly half created another opening for Stroud’s bonus point try on the stroke of half time.

Avon needed to score first after the break to claw their way back into the game but the opposite happened as Stroud worked another overlap to add their 5th try down the right wing five minutes into the second half. That proved to be the end of their scoring though as Avon eventually tightened their defence and started to take the game to their opposition despite Meddick and skipper Scott Book being forced off with injuries.

As the Avon pack cranked up the pressure, a powerful forward drive saw their energetic replacement Lucas Pratt touch down from a 5 metre scrum. With Stu Dilloway making a few dangerous thrusts from full back and Zak Harwood powering through the middle, the pack started to have a target to build on. Good inter-passing amongst the forwards then led to prop Chris Mutlow touching down his first try of the season.

Avon launched a final full out attack to seek their bonus point try but were repelled by desperate defence, leaving them to regret the controversial disallowed try earlier. The match eventually ended on a sour note as the visiting prop was yellow carded for a gratuitous punch before spitting at a spectator on being dismissed from the field.

Meanwhile Avon 2nds enjoyed a hugely satisfying win against the odds. Although fielding only 11 players, they clocked up a comprehensive 50-5 win against Nailsea-Backwell with an outstanding display of team work. After a few difficult weeks, skipper Dan Mutlow and coach Chris Coombe were delighted with the spirit and work rate which resulted in 7 tries.

Dan Griffin and Chris Sawyer scored a double each, whilst Joe Tenbeth, Dan Fair and Chris Flavell also touched down tries. The conversions were shared between Fair and Flavell, whilst prop Louis Belsten also tried to get in on the act with an unlikely drop goal attempt. Although unfair to single out other individuals, Terry Gapper showed that you are never too old (once fortified with Natch) whilst Josh Harding Wyatt and Jack Garmston also caught the eye.