Great Performance Results in Well-Deserved Win

Although it was a tremendous all-round team performance, the platform was based on an inspired display from Avon’s pack which completely overwhelmed their opponents in all aspects of forward play. This stemmed from their impressive front row of Chaz Meddick, Ben Hurd and Chris Mutlow who totally dominated up front, supported by the powerful presence of young Xander Davis and unsung hero Kane Book in the engine room.

Avon’s first try set the scene for the afternoon as an unstoppable surge from the pack was only halted by an illegal collapse which left the referee no option but to award a penalty try. Enjoying complete territorial dominance, Avon came close again through a blindside thrust from Ollie Flight before Rob Fitch slotted 2 monstrous penalties to add to his earlier conversion.

The rare Cheltenham attacks were snuffed out by some committed defence, exemplified by Stu Dilloway and Zak Harwood in midfield and JJ Pulvertaft and Ian Burnell in the back row to leave Avon with a healthy 13 nil at half time.

This was soon increased by a candidate for the individual try of the season from young fullback James Leeming who caught a kick deep inside his own 22 before setting off on a mazy run upfield. A deft chip ahead followed which he quickly regathered and threw an exquisite dummy into space before scorching through a bemused defence for a wonderful try under the posts.

Fitch added the extras but 5th placed Cheltenham showed their threat as they engineered a blindside attack to add a converted try to reduce the deficit. This spurred Avon on again as their close-linking offfloads started to make inroads into the visitors defence. Another massive scrum resulted in a penalty which set up the position for a lineout catch and drive which Ben Hurd finished off for his 8th try of the season. Fitch again converted.

Although denied a bonus point try by desperate defence in the closing stages, Avon skipper Scott Book praised his team saying “We have been threatening this kind of performance for several weeks and it’s a tribute to the attitude of the players to repay the commitment from coaches Kai Harwood and Clive Book throughout the season.”

Next week Avon travel to play old rivals Chew Valley.