Burnham 15 - Avon 9

Avon showed their intentions from the outset as returning flyhalf Shaun Wynes made a break from half way before being pulled down just short of the line. Rob Fitch opened the scoring shortly afterwards with a penalty and then doubled the lead after another Burnham transgression midway through the half.

Two try scoring chances were then foiled: the first spoilt by an accidental offside after a 5 metre scrum following a Damien Sawyer chip and chase; the second when a tremendous counter attacking run from fullback Stuart Dilloway was eventually halted by desperate defence near the line.

Burnham showed their dangerous qualities with a series of close quarter offloads before their winger was bundled into touch near the corner flag by an excellent covering tackle from Wynes. From this attacking position, Burnham recycled possession and stretched the Avon defence for Ollie Streeter to crash over for a try in the opposite corner.

Burnham then took the lead straight after the break with a well-rehearsed lineout ploy for Streeter to storm through a gap for his second try. Play fluctuated over the next quarter as both sides tried to open up but came unstuck against resolute defences, with Avon having to be satisfied with another Fitch penalty to reduce the deficit to a single point.

With both goal kickers missing other chances, Burnham instead kicked to the corner and were rewarded with another try from a lineout catch and drive. Avon responded strongly, forcing a string of penalties which eventually led to the home flanker being dismissed for 2 yellow card offences but, despite a frantic wave of attacks in the last ten minutes, ran out of time and options to steal the result.

Avon play fellow promoted side and long term rivals Wells at home next Saturday.