Imperial 13 - Avon 34

On a perfect day for running rugby, there was a real clash of styles with Avon seeking to play a fast expansive game whilst their hosts preferred a more direct approach via their large experienced pack who sought to slow play down wherever possible. With a series of penalties awarded from the referee’s interpretation of the laws and numerous handling errors and injury breaks, the game failed to ignite and proved a frustrating stop start affair.

Things had started promisingly as Avon spread the ball wide early on and recycled quick ruck ball for evergreen centre Stu Thompson to take a great line to storm across the line for the opening try converted by Sam Rowlands. As play stagnated afterwards, Imps struck back with two well taken penalties to reduce the gap to a single point. Avon were twice denied promising attacks from lineout catch and drives close to the line before being harshly penalised for “truck and trailer” offences and also getting drawn into a forward arm wrestle amongst the packs.

Sam Rowlands broke the deadlock with an incisive try as he sprinted clear from a blindside scrum to give Avon a 12 – 6 lead at half time before Avon showed their true potential after the restart with a wonderful flowing move involving Ross Atherton and Olly Flight which was then switched back against the run of play with a long miss pass from Des Bowden to winger Ben Crane to score in the corner.

Imperial struck back with a converted try after a succession of forward drives near the Avon posts and continued to spoil the visitors attacks with their excellent scrambling cover defence. Avon became bogged down by the staccato game and were restricted to another Rowlands penalty. Dropped passes and wrong options looked as if they would be denied the elusive fourth try before they sprang into life in injury time.

Firstly Scott Book linked with Rowlands from the back of a scrum to exploit the narrow side for the predatory Crane to squeeze over the line for his second try near the corner flag to register the bonus point. Then from the restart, Bowden kicked ahead and tackled the catcher before Flight secured the turnover to release the supporting Rowlands in acres of space for the final try which he again converted from the touchline for a personal haul of 19 points.

Next week Avon are at home to Winscombe and will be seeking to keep the pressure on second placed Wells who will be travelling to face Avon in the rearranged crunch match on Wednesday 18th April.