Avon Crush Oldfield For Double Win

With the Shaft Road pitch conditions ideal and watched by a large crowd for Oldfield's President's Day, both teams tried to play some expansive rugby despite the strong wind but Avon always had a decisive edge in terms of possession and territory.

The hosts were encouraged with an early lead from a straightforward penalty but that remained their sole score as Avon increasingly took a stranglehold on the game as soon as skipper Kai Harwood gave them the lead with his 10th try of the season after good approach work from Ben Crane and Ben Hurd.

Incessant Avon pressure forced Oldfield deep into their own half with powerful runs from Chris Mutlow and Jake Dixon sucking in the defence. Only committed tackling and some lengthy clearance kicks with the strong wind prevented further scores until shortly before half time when Rob Fitch finished off a series of attacks to dot down for a try in the corner. This brought up his 150 points for the season and gave Avon a 10-3 lead at the break.

With Oldfield still within a score, the decisive moment came shortly after the restart as Avon's pack launched a monstrous lineout drive from outside the 22 which was only stopped just short of the try line, allowing Ollie Flight to burrow across the whitewash.

Fitch added the extras to increase the lead to 17-3 which allowed Avon to start to play some more expansive rugby as their forwards and backs interacted to run in 2 more tries in the next 10 minutes. Firstly, after a threatening run from Ross Atherton, flanker Ian Burnell coasted majestically through in support for the bonus point try. Then Zak Harwood fended off several despairing tackles to burst through for the 5th try under the posts after positive counter-attacking from full back Stuart Dilloway.

With Fitch converting both to give Avon a 31-3 lead with 25 minutes still to play, Oldfield were in danger of being overwhelmed at their fortress but they responded well to coach Chris Lilley's exhortations to withstand Avon's attacks on the eve of his birthday. Meanwhile with the game won, Avon took their foot off the pedal and despite 4 close range line outs and 3 attacking scrums plus some over ambitious handling in the tricky wind, had to settle for the 30 point margin which still left coach Clive Book with a satisfied smile afterwards.

Next week Avon have a rearranged home fixture against Bristol Harlequins, followed by a Sausage & Cider party with the England - Ireland match on the big screen in the clubhouse.