Mighty Quins Upset Avon's New Year

The scene was set from the first kick off as Avon failed to clear their lines and immediately gave away the opening try. 5 minutes later from a quick tap penalty, Quins added their second through non-existent tackling. Avon then took play to the opposite end of the pitch with their first sustained attack but a dropped pass inside the home 22 was hacked downfield for the Quins centre to win the foot-rush to score at the posts.

Facing a 19 point deficit inside the first 10 minutes, Avon gradually forced their way back into the game and were rewarded for good approach work as Damien Sawyer looped around the cover defence for a try in the corner. Rob Fitch, making a welcome return after injury at flyhalf, slotted the touchline conversion and added a long range penalty shortly afterwards to bring Avon back in touch. But, in seeking to close the gap before half time, Avon’s defensive frailties were again exposed as powerful counter-rucking allowed Quins to recycle possession to score their 4th bonus point try for a convincing interval lead.

Playing down the slope, Avon were encouraged by some probing kicks into the bottom corner to set up an attacking lineout from which Jake Dixon plunged across the line for a well-worked try to once again offer some signs of hope. Yet this optimism was dashed from the restart as the Quins flyhalf dummied through for another try under the posts.

In a topsy-turvy match, Avon again responded with their third try as they spread the ball wide from a shortened lineout to score in the opposite corner through winger Chris Eames. A similar pattern followed as Avon again relaxed for Quins to exploit gaping holes in their defensive alignment for their 6th try.

With the final whistle in sight, Avon sought their all-important 4th try to secure the bonus point and it was fitting that this was awarded to scrumhalf Ollie Flight who looked dangerous throughout with his sniping runs and fully deserved the consolation try. As groundhog day continued, Quins again scored from the restart with their final try through a series of missed tackles in defence.

Avon have much to work on organisationally and in fitness training this week before taking on Burnham next Saturday at Hicks Field.