Disrupted by late cry-offs added to earlier unavailabilities, a disjointed Avon made a sluggish start and soon fell behind to a try from a well-worked lineout drive. A penalty from Zak Harwood was then cancelled out by a similar score from Minehead to give the visitors an 8-3 lead after 10 minutes. Strangely enough, this proved to be their last points as Avon started to get their act together and soon took the lead as Harwood finished off a crisp handling move to touch down the try which he also nonchalantly converted from out wide.

Forward charges led by Chaz Meddick and Chris Mutlow then put Avon on the front foot but they missed their usual fluency with the ball in hand, turning over too much loose possession to sustain their attacks. As the pressure increased, Minehead were forced to concede penalties and Avon adopted a more pragmatic style, kicking for the corners and seeking lineout drives against their more youthful and inexperienced opponents. This tactic paid off as they were rewarded with 2 tries resulting from driving mauls, the first scored by Xander Davis and the second by Chris Sawyer.

Another Harwood penalty gave Avon a comfortable half time lead and when man-of-the-match Scott Book added the bonus point try shortly after half time, it seemed that they might storm away. But strong Minehead defence and a tendency to get drawn into a frantic niggling game saw the points dry up.

With veteran Damien Sawyer enjoying his first appearance of the year and predatory Ben Hurd making a cameo off the bench, Avon finally turned their pressure into points as Hurd powered over for a typical try in the final 10 minutes. Then came the magic moment of the game as Josh Harding-Wyatt stormed up the right wing from his own 22, before the ball was swiftly transferred through the hands to the opposite corner, then recycled back across field for Harding-Wyatt to finish an exquisite move by touching down inside the corner flag.

3 more conversions from Harwood in a 19 point personal haul saw a comfortable win as Avon can now enjoy a 4 week break before resuming action in the new year.

Avon 2nds played the Bath University social team in a free flowing game of rugby played in the spirit of the newly-founded Bath Combination Merit Table. With Avon short of players, the University side made up their numbers and won a thoroughly entertaining game by 36-31.

Avon’s tries were scored by Kev Keeley, Van Roy and Neil Keen with 2 of their guest players also touching down. As Avon stalwart Adrian Watts said “ One of those games that showed the true spirit of rugby. Avon short of players but Bath Uni full of the exuberance of youth and desire to make a game of it, swapped their players so everybody could enjoy the game.”