Avon lose to last second conversion

In the corresponding match earlier in the season, Avon went down to a single point defeat with a penalty from the last kick of the game. This time, Avon were leading by 6 points as the visitors launched one last counter attack and scored a try out wide, leaving the conversion to win the game. Their scrum half proved to be their hero as he coolly added the extras to snatch a 22-21 win with the final kick before being mobbed by his ecstatic team mates.

The match had begun brightly for Avon and, after withstanding early pressure, they started to dominate territorially and opened up the scoring with a penalty from Rob Fitch. With their lineout working well and the pack recycling good possession, Avon tested their opponents with a series of attacks which finally paid off with the opening try. Quick ball was moved along the backs where Ben Crane made good yardage before the second wave of attackers created space for Zak Harwood to cruise over in the corner.

Quins always looked dangerous on the counter attack and closed the gap shortly before half time with a converted try as their powerful prop took a flat pass to crash over the line. Then, with the last kick of the first half and perhaps an omen of things to come, their scrum half landed a 40 metre penalty to give the visitors a 10-8 lead at the interval.

From the restart, Avon failed to clear their lines and were made to suffer as the Quins prop repeated his try scoring exploits with his second try from close range. This seemed to inspire Avon as they enjoyed their most productive spell of the game and were rewarded as Ben Hurd finished off a powerful lineout catch and drive for his 9th try of the season.

Fitch converted to level the scores and shortly afterwards gave Avon the lead with a penalty after the visitors centre was yellow carded for a dump tackle. Fitch then added a snap drop goal to open up a 21-15 lead as Avon cranked up the pressure but couldn't add the decisive next score.

When Avon also suffered a yellow card in retaliation after some unsavoury off-the-ball incidents, Quins sensed their chance to exploit their numerical advantage and started to pound the Avon defence before setting up the dramatic winning finale.

The losing bonus point moves Avon up to 4th in the table and they face a mouth watering clash with 2nd placed Chew Valley next Saturday at Hicks Field.