Avon 43 - Weston Super Mare 15

Yet for much of this match, they were severely challenged by a youthful and well organised Weston team who belied their league status and dominated possession and territory for long periods in each half but without troubling the scoreboard.

After an early Avon penalty by Sam Rowlands, the seasiders controlled the next 20 minutes with some sharp tactical kicking supported by some dangerous attacks and were rewarded with an equalising penalty. From the restart, Avon put the ball directly into touch and Weston used the blindside well from the ensuing scrum to take the lead with an unconverted try in the corner.

Avon then regained the lead with a try out of the blue as speedster Des Bowden conjured a midfield break to sprint clear from half way for a wonderful solo try under the posts, converted by Rowlands. Starting to take control of the game, the Avon pack asserted themselves with two separate 30 metre drives to transfer play from their own 22 to the visitors line and scrumhalf Ollie Flight dummied over for their next try.

With Weston starting to reel under the onslaught, flyhalf Bowden then showed his acceleration with another two tries from individual forays. The first came after Chris Sawyer secured quick turnover ball for Bowden to chip ahead and win the foot race for the touchdown, whilst he completed his hat-trick with another chip ahead and one-handed pick up to outsprint the defence to score near the corner flag. Rowlands slotted all three conversions leaving shell-shocked Weston facing a 31 points to 8 deficit at half time.

Uncannily, the second half followed a similar pattern as WSM camped in the Avon half for the next 20 minutes but were prevented from scoring by committed Avon defence. Meanwhile Avon were ruthless in exploiting scoring opportunities at the other end. With Dexter Robinson turning up everywhere in the loose, Avon added their 5th try as the ball was spun wide along the backs for Sam Rowlands to finish off a flowing movement out wide, again adding the extras.

Avon completed their afternoon's scoring with a well rehearsed lineout catch and drive to create the position for hooker Ben Hurd to crash over for their final try. Finishing the game with only 13 players due to several injuries picked up throughout this physical encounter, Avon entered into the Christmas spirit by allowing Weston a midfield interception to score a converted try under the posts in the closing minutes.

Coach Clive Book and skipper Kai Harwood are quietly pleased with the progress made this season after finishing in third place last year but know that Avon need to up their performances in a few key games after New Year to avoid some potential banana skins in their drive for promotion.