Avon Succumb to League Leaders Drybrook

Visiting Avon chose to play against the wind and slope in the first half and the pattern of the game was soon established. Avon were dominant at the set-pieces while Drybrook looked to use their powerful ball carriers before unleashing their talented back division.

Drybrook opened the scoring after ten minutes through a straightforward penalty following their first visit to the Avon half.

Avon hit back when, following a series of forward drives, they switched play across the pitch and Rob Fitch threw a great miss ball to allow Dan Mutlow to score in the corner.

Avon kept attacking but where sent back on a number of occasions by long clearance kicks and evenly conceded a converted try in the corner following sharp handling by the hosts’ backs.

With just six minutes to go before half-time Avon looked in good shape to turn around with the element only five points down.

However, following yet another turnover and a clearance downfield the Drybrook full-back gathered and went on an outstanding individual run from halfway to score in the corner.

The conversion was made and on the stroke half-time Drybrook went over again to leave Avon to chase the game in the second period.

Avon took the game to the leaders early in the second half and another strike against the head by the front row led to a try for winger Ian Northcott.

However, he was injured when scoring and had to leave the field before being followed out of the action by skipper Kai Harwood, who suffered a chest problem.

A further injury to hooker Hurd’s arm meant he could not throw in and Avon lost some of their momentum.

Drybrook took full advantage to run two tries to wrap up another win and extend their two-year unbeaten home record.