Avon beat Chew Vally 29 - 27 in sizzling thriller to match scorching weather

In near tropical conditions, Avon and Chew played excellent rugby throughout both in attack and defence with the lead changing hands at regular intervals as both teams sought the decisive edge.

Chew took an early lead with a try from flanker Mitch Quoi, converted by Alex Cameron but Avon levelled after stringing together several phases before Sam Rowlands scored his first try with a blindside break from a solid scrum, also adding the extras. Chew struck back with a Cameron penalty before Avon regained the lead with a barnstorming try from skipper Kai Harwood after patient ball retention and recycling, again converted by Rowlands.

Missing injured flanker Scott Book more than they realised, Avon failed to deal with the restart and Chew created a well rehearsed try by Andy McCormack under the posts after a midfield switch. Cameron slotted the simple conversion for a 17 - 14 half time lead and immediately after the interval added a penalty to stretch further ahead.

Avon were making life difficult for themselves by allowing Chew too much space to run and by failing to relieve the pressure with successful touch finders from defensive kicks but eventually cut the deficit to a single point as Ben Crane tracked the ball to the opposite wing for a try in the corner.

Avon then began to build the pressure and forced Chew into conceding a penalty which Rowlands scored with a monstrous kick from almost half way to put Avon into the lead again.

This was the signal for furious Chew attacks through their mobile pack and only fully committed Avon defence on their own line managed to repel the constant pick and drives before Chew player / coach and ex Bristol hooker David Blaney found a gap for a converted try to give Chew a seemingly unassailable lead with injury time approaching.

Avon though dug deep into their resolve and launched a series of attacks to stretch the Chew defence and, as the match entered the 8th minute of injury time, mounted a final forward assault on the Chew line before Rowlands forced his way over for the equalising try and finally broke Chew hearts with the touchline conversion to give Avon the bonus point win.

Avon coach Clive Book wryly remarked afterwards that Avon used up all their get-out-of-jail cards in this single game and, with no game next week, they now have the opportunity to allow some niggling injuries to clear up before facing Midsomer Norton at home the following week.