Avon 13 - Wells 6

In a game of thrilling intensity between two very good Somerset sides, Avon emerged victorious through a mixture of their tactical prowess, their magnificent spirit in defence and their ability to take the points when scoring chances arose.

Avon made the perfect start in the early monsoon as skipper Kai Harwood broke the gain line with a typical powerful surge to set up a ruck on the Wells line where quick thinking scrumhalf Ollie Flight burrowed over for the opening try. Sam Rowlands, playing in the unfamiliar flyhalf role as top try scorer Des Bowden failed a late fitness test, added the conversion.

The pattern of the game then emerged as Wells mounted wave after wave of counter attacks with the wind in their favour but were denied by Avon’s resolute defence where the whole team were simply outstanding, restricting Wells to a single penalty for a 7 – 3 Avon lead at half time.

Avon’s resolve was then tested to the limit as they suffered two sin-binnings for technical offences either side of the interval, leaving them to counteract Wells attacks with 13 players. They responded magnificently to the challenge with well organised and totally committed defence to prevent Wells from scoring a try for the first time this season. Both teams then traded successful penalties for a 10 – 6 Avon lead going into the last quarter.

Although the wind now subsided, Avon worked their way upfield and a well-engineered short passing attack forced Wells to go offside at a threatening ruck and Rowlands extended the lead with the resulting penalty. With the 7 point margin, Avon then closed the game out to inflict Wells only second defeat of the season and to spark wild celebrations at the final whistle.

Avon now face Nailsea & Backwell at home on Saturday in front of their old players reunion where they hope to be crowned Somerset Premier champions, before facing local rivals Stotherts in the Bath Combination Vase final on the Rec next Wednesday. Meanwhile Wells plan to reassess their priorities for their remaining games with the league runners up play-off spot already assured and with their Intermediate Cup final appearance at Twickenham looming.