North Bristol 25 – Avon 5

After withstanding an early North Bristol attack, Avon dominated the next 20 minutes with a clever mix of short inter-passing and astute kicking behind the home defence and were only denied an opening try as Damien Sawyer was bundled into the corner flag by an excellent covering tackle. Undeterred, Avon took the lead 5 minutes later as predatory winger Ian Northcott dived on a crossfield kick from Rob Fitch to touch down under the noses of the unsuspecting defence.

Unfortunately Fitch was then forced off the field with a recurrence of an ankle injury and North upped their game to respond with a multi-phased attack for a converted try under the posts to take a close 7 points to 5 lead into half time.

Although Avon’s lineout functioned smoothly, the huge weight advantage in the scrums and loose exchanges gradually took its toll as North added a second try from close driving play by their pack. With underfoot conditions worsening, Avon found it difficult to break out of their own half as their attacks came unstuck against a strong well organised defence and they were forced to concede 2 penalties to widen the gap.

Despite North Bristol being reduced to 14 players for some gratuitous stamping, Avon couldn’t escape the stranglehold imposed on them and, after some last ditch tackling, finally conceded a third try deep into injury time with the last move of the game.

Avon’s postponed match with Weston Hornets has been rescheduled for next Saturday at Hicks Field when they are hoping some of their injured players are able to return to action.