Avon Clinch 15-10 Away Win

Their hosts made a great start as they took advantage of a missed midfield tackle to break away for the opening try inside the first 2 minutes. Playing into a fierce wind, they then kept the ball in hand to stretch the Avon defence through their powerful pack and strong running backs but were thwarted by sound tackling.

Avon slotted a penalty through Rob Fitch after good approach work from Chris Sawyer and Ben Crane to reduce the deficit but were then disrupted as Crane and Damien Sawyer both had to leave the field with injuries. Showing his versatility, Dan Ryan-Lowes came onto the wing after filling in as a replacement prop in the previous game, whilst Ollie Flight made a welcome return at scrum half.

With Scott Book and Ben Dilloway ruling the skies at the lineout, Avon then took the lead as Kai Harwood drove clean lineout possession up the blindside before brother Zak Harwood crashed through in Tuilagi-style to score a well worked try near the posts.

Fitch added the extras for a 10-5 lead and Avon were only denied a further score after a 30 metre charge from Jake Dixon was adjudged to be held up over the line.

Playing down the slope with the strong wind at their backs, North Bristol believed they could make up the leeway and dominated the second half territorially but were greeted by resilient defence from an inspired Avon team who refused to concede.

Meanwhile Avon showed their capabilities through long range breakouts but were forced back on the defensive by lengthy relieving kicks in the strong wind before North Bristol eventually levelled the scores at 10 apiece from a charge down by their winger.

With a draw seeming the obvious outcome, Avon refused to capitulate and Fitch made a timely interception on halfway to sprint through the despairing defence to dot down the winning try in the corner to secure a hard fought but deserved win.

Perhaps still feeling the effects of an unwarranted internal examination by a finger-happy opponent during a very closely contested ruck, Skipper Kai Harwood congratulated his troops in the post match huddle on achieving a creditable draw against a strong side before coach Clive Book patiently explained that Avon had actually won!

Next week, Avon are at home to Cirencester and seeking to atone for an early season defeat in a strangely subdued performance.