Avon crush Gordano 71 - 12

Enjoying the firmer surface, Avon made their intentions clear from the outset as they scored two early tries, the first from veteran centre Stuart Thompson who dummied through under the posts and the second from tireless flanker Scott Book in support of an incisive run from Ben Crane on the wing. With Sam Rowlands converting both, Avon momentarily relaxed and Gordano took advantage of a midfield missed tackle to score a well taken try out wide.

From the restart, Avon added their third try as the “Crane-train” followed up a blindside chip to touch down in the corner. At 19 points to 5 after only 15 minutes, the game lost its shape for a while as Gordano tried to close down through their large pack whilst Avon’s adventurous play took them up a few blind alleys. Shortly before half time, Avon exploded into life again as a tremendous forward drive from a lineout sucked in the defence before scrumhalf Rowlands sneaked up the narrow side to dot down unopposed under the posts for the bonus point try. Mobile prop Chris Mutlow then popped up on the wide outside to finish off another flowing move with a try in the right hand corner for a 31 – 5 half time lead.

The second half saw Avon really cut loose with another six tries as they stretched play all across the pitch, with coach Clive Book taking the opportunity to try out some positional changes amongst the backs. Des Bowden showed his blistering acceleration with the next try as he scorched down the touchline after an extravagant dummy chip, then Chris Eames supported a flowing move involving half the team to cross under the posts.

Gordano showed glimpses of the form that had given them three previous consecutive victories and reduced the arrears with a well worked try from a blindside scrum before Avon skipper Kai Harwood threw a huge dummy to sidestep under the posts. Coming off the bench, Dexter Robinson made a powerful break before offloading to the welcoming Avon support and promising youngster Ross Atherton picked off the final pass for a well-deserved try.

With Gordano now reeling under the continuous onslaught, Avon added two more spectacular tries. Firstly, Sam Rowlands sprinted clear from halfway after a move straight from the training paddock and finally stalwart Damo Sawyer found the legs to elude the covering defence with a run from half way. Rowlands also slotted 8 conversions for a personal tally of 26 points but this was foremost an all-round team performance which saw Avon strengthen their position at the top of Somerset Premier.

Next week, Avon meet new opposition as they play away to Devizes in the Bath Combination Cup.