Another Avon Win in a Game of 3 Halves

Strangely, this was a game of 3 halves! In the first period, Avon played into a fierce wind and were pleased with a narrow lead at half time. After the interval, Avon were in irresistible form for the first 10 minutes as they took advantage of the conditions to camp in the visitors' 22 and rack up the bonus point tries and threaten a cricket score.

Then, the game was interrupted for 15 minutes as Ian Burnell suffered a serious head injury before being taken to hospital for 23 staples in a nasty scalp wound. Having moved to an adjacent pitch after the enforced break, Avon seemed visibly rattled and lost their cohesion, allowing Cirencester to narrow the gap to a single score before finally closing out a deserved victory with the final score.

Earlier, the match was notable for two firsts. Rhodri Theaker opened Avon's account with his first try as he ghosted up the touch line after a craftily taken short penalty. Then prop forward Kane Book scored his solitary annual try as reward for his unseen efforts throughout the season when he cut an excellent line to burst through for a popular try.

Rob Fitch slotted two penalties to bring up his 200 for the season, whilst Cirecester showed how dangerous they could be from broken field positions as their excellent scrum half scored a fine individual try to add to two penalties for a 16-11 Avon lead at the break.

With centres Zak Harwood and Ross Atherton threatening with the ball in hand and half backs Rob Fitch and Ollie Flight pinning Cirencester back with lengthy tactical kicks, Avon pounded the visitors' line early in the second half. After winger Dan Griffin charged down a desperate relieving kick, the pressure paid off as Kai Harwood scored a trademark try from a 5 metre scrum.

With Avon now in the ascendancy, the bonus try swiftly followed as quick hands from Scott Book and Ben Hurd moved the ball wide for Fitch to score in the corner. The conversion extended their lead to 28-11 but the change of pitch after the injury break saw Avon lose the wind advantage and also their shape.

Meanwhile, Cirencester seized the advantage as their powerful running army contingent began to make huge inroads and were rewarded for their enterprise with two tries scored in both corners. This spurred Avon to respond and a final penalty from Fitch put the result beyond doubt.

Next week 4th placed Avon travel to the Forest of Dean to take on leaders Drybrook.