Avon Forced to Settle for 13-all Draw

After their last 3 matches ended with single point margins and last gasp penalties, Avon once more had a long range penalty chance with the last kick of the match but the ball drifted just wide of the posts, resulting in an enthralling 13-13 draw between two well-matched teams.

In truth, Avon had chances to have clinched the win beforehand but, in the spells where they were dominant through their powerful pack, were guilty of not taking the scoring opportunities that they had created earlier in the game.

With Zak Harwood, Chris Sawyer, Ollie Flight and Alex Gapper still missing through injury, Avon did welcome back young James Leeming at fullback who was always a threat on the counter attack, whilst prop Kane Book once again filled in as a makeshift 2nd row and showed up well with some powerful carries.

Avon's forwards were soon rewarded for a powerful scrummaging display as they earned two penalties which were slotted by Rob Fitch inside the first quarter. Meanwhile Chew Valley showed how dangerous they could be through their speedy backs and reduced the deficit with a penalty from Tom Bryan after hands in the ruck.

After a Nick Tribe break up the middle gave Avon momentum, some close quarter handling created another scoring opportunity with an attacking lineout inside the Chew 22. With Scott Book and Ben Dilloway ruling the skies, the Avon pack established a stable driving platform to surge over the visitors line where hooker Ben Hurd emerged from the pile of bodies for a well- rehearsed lineout drive try.

With Fitch converting magnificently from the touch line, Avon thought they had opened up a decisive lead but Chew responded strongly to work play deep inside the Avon 22 and showed their own prowess from an attacking lineout move when Ben Chase redeemed his earlier misdemeanours with a fine try. Bryan converted to leave the match neatly poised with Avon enjoying a 13 points to 10 lead at half time.

Although the second half remained largely scoreless, that was testament to the unrelenting commitment of the two sets of defences as both teams sought to establish attacking supremacy, which kept the large crowd on edge as both sides sought the vital breakthrough. Avon were left to regret another lineout drive that was held up just short of the try line, then Stuart Dilloway was denied on the line as he selflessly passed wide when a try was beckoning inside.

A massive Avon scrum on halfway disrupted Chew to give Fitch a long range penalty which rebounded from the bar only for Chew to be penalised again for offside in front of their posts. Declining the easy 3 points, Avon thought another scrum would get them over the try line but Chew showed their resilience to prevent the anticipated Avon score.

Having withstood these scoring opportunities, the next 10 minutes were all Chew as they mounted a range of attacks through free flowing backs moves and close quarter handling in their pack. The Avon defence was outstanding though with Ross Atherton, Damien Sawyer and Ian Burnell pulling off try saving tackles before Chew eventually levelled the scores in injury time through another Bryan penalty.

With 46 minutes on the clock, there was still time for another Avon surge from the restart through Kane Book and Jake Dixon which Chew halted illegally to present Avon with the last ditch 50 metre penalty which drifted agonisingly wide to seal the draw.

With the first half of the season over, Avon embark on the return fixtures next week as they host Barton Hill at Hicksfield.