Stunning Avon Win 30 - 3 at Cirencester

In perfect playing conditions on a large pitch which suited Avon’s ball-handling players, the win was based on a massive performance from the pack which dominated the scrum and lineout, supported by an attacking threat in the backs out wide.

After weathering an early onslaught from the home side, Avon took a stranglehold on the game with an inspired performance in the Spring sunshine and took the lead when prop forward Kane Book scored his first try of the season to reward months of hard work for one of Avon’s unsung heroes. Rob Fitch, who was pulling the strings at fly half, soon added a penalty and intense Avon pressure on the home line resulted in a scrum 5 metres out which had only one result as skipper Kai Harwood launched himself over the tryline to extend the lead.

A rare Cirencester attack led to a penalty to reduce the deficit but this was immediately cancelled out as Rob Fitch replied in kind to give Avon a 16 – 3 half time lead.

Playing with the elements in their favour after the interval, Avon produced some of their best rugby of the season as the forwards and backs inter-linked to retain possession and stretch their opponents. Ben Dilloway caught the eye with some dangerous runs in the unfamiliar position of blindside flanker which allowed Ed Bolton to stake a place in the second row, whilst stalwart Damien Sawyer was a constant threat in the centre. Added to a committed first-up defence where Ben Crane, Scott Book and Jake Dixon featured prominently, Cirencester’s attacks were readily repelled.

Scrum half Ollie Flight launched the next score with a blindside break from broken play which found mobile prop Chris Mutlow racing down the wing to pop up a sweetly timed pass for his hooking colleague Ben Hurd to touch down the third try, converted by Fitch.

With the result wrapped up, Avon sought the bonus point try and, after being denied by desperate defence on several successive attacks, the vital 4th try was eventually added as Kai Harwood scored a carbon copy try from a powerful 5 metre scrum to put the gloss on an excellent team display.

A repeat Avon performance next Saturday at home to Chosen Hill should guarantee a deserved second season in Western Counties North.