Barton Hill 29 - Avon 19

With 3 wins from their past 4 matches, this ensured that Avon will finish in 11th place to consolidate their level 7 status in the league structure again next year.

On a beautiful afternoon for running rugby on a very wide pitch, Avon took an early lead as Rob Fitch slotted a penalty but they then had to withstand a fearful pounding as Barton Hill dominated possession and territory for the next 20 minutes. Only determined Avon tackling kept the home side at bay and restricted them to 2 well-crafted tries in this period of intense pressure as they sucked in the defence and stretched play across the field at pace.

Then Avon seemed to gain their second wind as quick line out ball, followed by 3 successive forward drives forced a penalty which Fitch again converted to reduce the deficit. This was immediately followed by a great team try as Kai Harwood found himself in acres of space out wide from quick turnover ball. Feeling agoraphobic, he sought contact with their defence and 3 quick passes later,great support running from Stuart Dilloway and Zak Harwood saw lock forward Jake Dixon storm over the line near the corner for his 6th try of the season. Perhaps emboldened by this score, Dixon later attempted a monstrous drop goal from a free play penalty advantage!

Man of the match Dilloway then earned a penalty that gave Avon the lead as he fielded a Barton Hill kick, then chipped ahead and regathered the ball over his shoulder before being halted with a despairing tackle which illegally stifled Avon’s chance for quick possession. Holding a narrow lead, Avon started to play with greater confidence and built attacks as their forwards and backs combined to good effect to drive play deep into home territory.

With half time approaching, Avon launched a well-rehearsed lineout catch and drive which was held up just short of the line after a monstrous forward drive, only for combative scrumhalf Ollie Flight to dive through a melee of bodies for an opportunist try near the touchline.

Leading 19 – 12 at the interval, Avon unfortunately gifted their opponents an equalising try from the restart as a miss-directed midfield pass was intercepted to allow Barts to level the scores with a converted try under the posts. This seemed to unsettle Avon as small mistakes crept into their game, which prevented any real continuity or pattern to their play and Barton Hill regained the lead midway through the half with a lineout drive to collect their bonus point try.

With 5 points separating the teams, both sides sought the decisive score. Ironically, this came after a sustained spell of Avon pressure as Barts took advantage of quick turnover possession inside their own 22 for their left wing to sidestep past 3 opponents before linking across field with his backline where his opposite winger scored an excellent try by the right hand corner flag.

Avon’s Annual Dinner and Awards evening is Friday 10th May. Tickets for this popular event must be paid to Heather Sutherland by the end of April.