Avon started brightly as a well worked backs moved opened up the Hill defence in the first few minutes with the versatile Damian Sawyer playing in the unfamiliar full back role, being held up just short of the line. Another minute later and Avon opened the scoring when scrum half Ollie Flight took a quick tap penalty to score wide out. Fitch added the extras.

Avon, who were already without influential forwards Scott Book, Jake Dixon and Chris Sawyer, then lost skipper Kai Harwood after 15 minutes as a damaged shoulder forced him grudgingly to leave the field, being replaced by hooker Sam Book.

Despite this blow, it was evident that that the much changed Avon side, who were also missing Nick Tribe, James Leeming and Zak Harwood in the backs, were really fired up for this game with the replacements Simon Roe and Josh Harding-Wyatt outstanding in defence.

Avon then extended their lead when prop Kane Book found himself in space to jog over for a popular first try of the season. With Rob Fitch converting and also slotting a penalty, Avon enjoyed a comprehensive 17 nil half time lead.

After the break, their injury list then got longer as Ollie Flight suffered a recurrence of his troublesome hamstring injury, with Aaron Sawyer joining the reshuffled back line.

This gave Barton Hill the opportunity to respond strongly in the second half as their large pack started to dominate proceedings to whittle away at the scoreboard with two tries to make it 17 points to 12 after an imposing 20 minute spell. Although Avon struggled to break out of their half during this period, stand-in skipper Ben Dilloway had an outstanding game alongside Ian Burnell to rally the home team.

Fittingly, it was Dilloway himself who leaped like a salmon to steal a Hill lineout deep inside their own 22, which allowed the Avon pack to drive hooker Ben Hurd over the try line for the final score. Suddenly, the try bonus was beckoning and a kick through from Dan Griffin was touched down by Chris Mutlow, only for the try to be ruled out by an apparent knock-on.

With 8 wins now under their belts and sitting comfortably in 6th place in Western Counties North, Avon are looking forward to the two week Christmas break to hopefully get most of their players back to fitness before starting again in the new year away to Bristol Harlequins.