Yet Avon started magnificently, dominating possession for the first 10 minutes and continually recycling the ball through a series of ever-more threatening phases until scrum half Alex Gapper capitalised on all the good work from the forwards to crash over for the opening try, converted by Jonny Batchelor.

A Weston counter attack then showed a sign of things to come as their speedy backs outflanked Avon to level the scores. Unfazed, Avon struck back with some outstanding forward charges led by Ian Burnell, Josh Harding-Wyatt and Chris Sawyer, whilst centre Zak Harwood made a welcome return to make great inroads through the middle. A promising Avon attack was held up over the try line and suddenly Weston swept play to the other end where they were awarded a penalty try with Sawyer being sin binned in the process. Inside another 5 minutes, they added another two converted tries to open up a healthy lead.

Misfortune again befell Avon as their makeshift fly half Ollie Flight pulled a hamstring and had to leave the field. This caused another reshuffle in the backs, with 56 year old Director of Rugby Clive Book making a cameo appearance on the wing to accompany fellow 56 year old Club Chairman Ian Monachino-Ayres who had an admirable performance in Avon’s second row. Despite their enforced changes, Avon showed great spirit to bounce back again and a well worked blind side move gave James Leeming the chance to show his pace as he chipped ahead to touch down their second try to reduce the deficit.

By this stage, Weston were aware that the wide open spaces of their impressive pitch gave them opportunities to stretch the reorganised Avon defence and they took advantage with their speedy backs adding another 3 tries after half time. Avon didn’t crumble and showed outstanding team spirit to close down further attacks before suddenly finding a new lease of life to drive their hosts deep inside their own territory. One clear try chance was denied after a deliberate knock on that saw a Weston player yellow-carded before acting captain Kane Book finished off another impressive Avon drive to power over the line for their 3rd try. Despite competition from Alex Gapper and Ian Burnell for man-of-the-match, this clinched his award for his leadership, line out prowess, tackling and constant encouragement to his beleaguered players.

With time running out, Avon launched an all-out assault on the Weston line to seek their 4th try to collect the bonus point that their battling performance deserved but lost a vital 5 metre line out and suddenly Weston polished off the game with another long range try at the other end.

Next week Avon host Tor at Hicks Field whilst their 2nds play Avonvale.