Another Avon Win: 30-19 against Burnham

The firmer pitch helped Avon’s ball-handling forwards to impose their style on the game, whilst the backs had a more confident look with Rob Fitch pulling the strings at flyhalf and young centres Zak Harwood and Stuart Dilloway excelling in attack and defence. But the difference between the two teams was most notable in the back row where skipper Kai Harwood was back to his rampaging best and flanker Scott Book stole the honours with a man of the match effervescent performance.

The first quarter was very even as Burnham slotted two penalties which Avon negated with a drop goal and penalty from Fitch to level the scores. As Avon started to develop their attacking game, a loose pass was intercepted by the visitors flyhalf on halfway for a converted try out of the blue at the other end of the field to restore Burnham’s lead. Undeterred, Avon responded immediately with a well-worked lineout catch and drive which resulted in the predatory Ben Hurd scoring his 6th try of the season.

Burnham extended their lead with another penalty before Avon again levelled the scores after a charge from Harwood and Book on the left created quickly recycled ball which was spun wide across the field where Chris Mutlow was caught short of the try line before Book pounced in the opposite corner to score a well-deserved try.

With half time approaching, Burnham added another penalty for a narrow 19 – 16 lead at the interval but this turned out to be the end of their scoring as Avon took a stranglehold on the game in the second half. With an abundance of possession in the tight and loose exchanges, Avon started to threaten their opponents up front and out wide, forcing Burnham to concede penalties in an attempt to slow down the ball. Each transgression was ruthlessly punished as Fitch coolly added another 3 penalties at regular intervals to build up a healthy lead.

Avon then had the final word as another Book turnover from an attacking lineout gave Harwood the ball in his favourite position, charging at pace on a powerful run deep into the opposition defence for a barnstorming try to seal a comprehensive win.

Next weekend, Avon travel with more confidence to 6th placed Matson hoping to repeat their early season home win.