High flying Avon brought down to earth

From the outset, it appeared to be "one of those days" as Avon were strangely subdued, perhaps underestimating their opponents, falling off tackles and collectively making a host of errors which Cirencester turned to their advantage.

Somehow Avon withstood an immense battering in the opening quarter before taking the lead against the run of play as Kai Harwood scored a trademark try from a pushover scrum.

Lacking the influential Rob Fitch at fly half, Avon failed to control the game and allowed Cirencester to equalise with a try in the corner after some poor tackling. With a successful penalty to follow, Cirencester reached half time with a narrow 8 points to 5 lead.

Within 5 minutes of the restart, calamity struck Avon as they conceded 2 soft tries through a combination of inexperience and weak defence. Despite trying to claw their way back, Avon came unstuck against some resolute tackling and an inability to retain possession and build cycles of pressure.

Avon were further disrupted as wingers Ollie Harding-Wyatt and Rob Agnew both suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital by ambulance, causing the match to be transferred to an adjacent pitch.

A similar pattern then ensued as Avon forced a series of attacking scrums and close range line outs but could not turn the pressure into points before Cirencester broke away to score their bonus point try.

To their credit, Avon then played their best spell of rugby before Ben Hurd touched down a consolation try from a lineout catch and drive but it was a case of too little too late.

Next week Avon face a tough challenge at home to 3rd place Drybrook.