Avon Go Down to Newent

Avon were forced into fielding a youthful side which included 5 teenagers of this away trip to Newent and for the best part of an hour gave the high flying Gloucestershire outfit a severe test before running out of steam and being overpowered in the last quarter.
With the familiar names of Harwood, Meddick, Dilloway and Sawyer missing from the pack the youngsters and the odd veteran had their chance to make their mark.

17 year old Adam Hinchliff-Walz moved up from his normal back row berth to put in an impressive shift in the engine room, Whilst Damian Sawyer want back to his youth to move from Centre to his the open side position of his youth and in doing so gave a great demonstration of what an excellent reader of the game he is regardless of position.

With the sun shining and a lighter pack then normal Avon tactics was to look to attack and keep ball in hand as much as possible and after and early Exchange of Penalties this paid divideds when atfter 20 mins they score what must be their try of the season when from deep inside their own 22 they broke out of defence up the right wing picking off 3 defenders for Flight to release Nick Tribe who sprinted away up the wing before feeding inside to young fullback James Leeming to score the try which was converted by Fitch.

There was little to choose between these two side who were only separated by 1 point in their encounter earlier in the season. Avon although not always dominate at the scrum did manage to get a couple of useful shoves on to disrupt Newent and the effervescent Ben Hurd at Hooker took a couple of timely strikes against the head.

Newent were also intent on a running game and this combined with Avon’s attacking intent meant that the large crowd were treated to an extremely entertaining game. Newent showed why they have only lost once at home this year with some excellent offloading and support play that earned them two well worked try’s before half time and with Avon responding with a Fitch Penalty the game was well balanced at 17 13 at the break.

After the break Avon where gradually worn down and despite the best efforts of Man of the match Centre Ross Atherton who put in an excellent afternoons work in defence and attack. They eventually could not plug the gaps and Newents superior fitness told as the run in 4 tries in the second half.

Avon never gave up on their attacking philosophy and both team were happy to run keep attacking deep into injury time in the entertaining game.

next week Avon are Home to North Bristol