With a more balanced side and a much more focussed mindset than last week, Avon started strongly and posed problems with their offloading game in the first quarter. Although missing an early chance in the corner, Avon built up the pressure and took a deserved lead with a try from predatory hooker Ben Hurd after a well controlled lineout catch and drive.

Drybrook increased their physicality through their marauding pack and direct running backs before levelling the scores with a try after stealing possession from a powerful counter-ruck on halfway. They then proceeded to starve Avon of possession as they continually recycled the ball and pounded the Avon defence.

Only magnificent Avon tackling throughout the team but led by Chris Sawyer and Ross Atherton kept the visitors at bay before Avon again took a half time lead with a penalty from Rob Fitch.

The crowd sensed that the first score after the break would prove decisive and, despite an attacking Avon scrum inside their opponents 22, Drybrook turned over possession and patiently kept the ball through a multi-phased attack to score a try in the opposite corner.

When the visitors' scrum half suckered the defence with a dummy for a converted try under the posts for a 17 points to 8 lead with 20 minutes remaining, the writing seemed on the wall. Yet Avon showed their character to respond strongly as their scrum started to take control.

3 successive scrum penalties eventually saw a Drybrook player sin binned after 2 separate gratuitous stampings earlier. Avon twice went close to a score as stalwart Stuart Thompson was hauled down just short of the line on making his seasonal debut before Fitch slotted a penalty to narrow the gap to 6 points to ensure the losing bonus point.

Next week Avon travel to 4th placed Keynsham in a intriguing local derby.

Avon 2nds 20 - Imperial 2nds 17

With both teams having only lost once all season, this top of the table clash in Somerset 3 North was always going to be close. So it proved as Avon eventually emerged as winners by 20 points to 17, scoring a 4 try bonus point in the process.

With Chris Hurd and Rod Theaker leading the way up front and firstly Stuart Thompson then Steve Fuller pulling the strings at fly half, Avon fought back from behind to secure a narrow win. Their tries were scored by Alex Baker (2), Joe Tenbath and Skipper Dan Mutlow.

Avon 2nds remain joint top with Stotherts and also travel to Keynsham next weekend.