4 Try Xmas Present as Avon beat Berry Hill 29 - 16

From the outset, it was clear that Avon were determined to put the disappointments of the past few weeks behind them as they dominated the early proceedings and Damien Sawyer opened the scoring with a mesmerising try as he ghosted through the despairing defence. With Zak Harwood slotting the conversion and adding a penalty shortly afterwards, Avon held a 10 point lead inside the first 10 minutes.

The large Berry Hill pack worked play upfield to reduce the deficit with a penalty but Avon immediately responded with a series of driving mauls with Jake Dixon at their heart before skipper Kai Harwood was unleashed on a powerful surge over the tryline. Again younger brother Zak added the extras and second Berry Hill penalty saw Avon take a hard fought 17 points to 6 lead into half time.

The next 30 minutes remained scoreless as both sides sought openings with scrumhalf Ollie Flight keeping Avon on the front foot with a mixture of crafty box kicks and sniping runs. Tremendous defence, led by tireless flanker Scott Book and Stuart Dilloway in midfield, thwarted the visitors who settled for a third penalty after 30 minutes play.

This only served to inspire Avon further as they recycled possession to drive deep into the Hill defence before the ball was switched to Scott Book who sold an outrageous dummy before diving under the posts for another try converted by Harwood.

The icing on the Christmas cake then followed with the bonus point try as mobile prop Chris Mutlow outpaced the cover defence following a delicate chip ahead from Dixon to dot down Avon’s 4th try.

With the match deep into injury time, Berry Hill showed their capabilities as they scored a consolation try with a flowing attack in the last move of the game, leaving Avon with a handsome 29 points to 16 victory to take into their Christmas party afterwards.

Avon now have a well-earned 3 week break until the New Year when they are expecting several of their long term injuries to have recovered for the second half of the season.