Well now to be really contentious! At times, it was tough enough to select a squad to represent a specific decade. So it’s really impossible to come up with 15 players to represent the Club in a fictional team that spans the past 50 years of Avon rugby. The style of rugby has changed immensely since the 1970s – I think players are generally fitter and more physical nowadays – but class always shines eternal in any era.

So, I’ve bitten the bullet and identified a team of the half-century, once again based on my personal memories and perceptions. In doing so, it’s interesting to note the level that some of these players reached and, although that was not the only criteria, it perhaps helps to support my choices. In some cases, I’ve also given respect to the longevity of their careers at Avon. At the other extreme, I’ve sometimes considered the huge impact that they made in a short period of time. I’ve also considered the balance of the team between different styles and the potential inter-action of the players chosen.

So that’s some of the ways that influenced my selections but I’ve also made certain exclusions. I haven’t included players who only played at age-group levels at Avon (so therefore not considered Freddie or Billy Burns for example). Neither have I included players whose best years and the majority of their career was spent elsewhere (for example Robbie Lye and Barry Trevaskis who joined us in the twilight of their careers after leaving Bath rugby)

The team includes 3 players from the 1970s, 1 spanning the 1970s/80s, 3 from the 1980s, 1 spanning the 1980s/90s, 1 from the 1990s, 1 from the 2000s and 5 spanning the 2000s/2010s. There are many others who were so close to my selection.

But what do I know!? I hope that this encourages some debate and discussion. Feel free to let me know where I’ve gone wrong and who you would select instead. The important thing is that these (and other players not recognised) have all proudly worn the black and amber shirts of Avon RFC over the past 50 years.

Position - Player - Decade - Observations
Full Back: Mike Dick - 1970s - Pace, skill, always had time on the ball – went on to play for Richmond when they were still a 1st class club
Wing: Des Bowden - 2000s/2010s - Speedster, versatile, decent boot, proven try scorer, confidence in his ability
Centre: Chris Bird - 1970s - Sidestep, power, decisive breaks, class – 99 matches for Bath rugby & also represented Somerset before retiring aged only 25 due to school duties
Centre: Carwyn James - 1990s - Talented Welsh all-rounder, power and precision – went on to play for Clifton & Somerset
Wing: Mike Sawyer - 1970s/1980s - Power, pace, passion, good rugby brain – Avon’s record appearance holder with around 460 1st team matches over 2 decades
Fly Half : Clive Book (capt) - 1980s/1990s - Tactical genius, educated left boot, tremendous vision, the man to pull the strings & knit together this composite team – also played for Bath & Somerset
Scrum Half: Sam Rowlands - 2000s/2010s - Quick, deceptively strong, lovely service, incisive breaks, excellent kicker, Avon’s record points scorer with 353 points in a single season – also played for Richmond in National League 2 & Somerset
T/H Prop: Chaz Meddick - 2000s/2010s - Powerful scrummager, great technique, good hands, strong carries, imposing presence – also played for Dings in National league 3 and in France
Hooker: Paul Knight - 1980s - Fearless, superb striker of the ball, always put his body on the line – made debut for Bath rugby aged 18 against Cardiff, taking a strike against the head against the Welsh national hooker in the first scrum
L/H Prop: Chris Derrick - 1970s - Strong in the set pieces, excellent in the loose, scored a hatful of tries
2nd Row: John Pitt - 1980s - Good lineout forward, powerful scrummager, useful around the field, under-rated but went on to play for Weston Super Mare & Somerset
2nd Row: Wayne Davis - 2000s - Powerful in the tight, surprisingly good hands and mobile for a big man, also had a physical edge – played for Clifton & Bath
Flanker: Bruce Bowie - 1980s - Outstanding New Zealand all-rounder, physical presence, inspired tackling, useful ball player, dogged defence – played over 50 representative matches for Wairarapa Bush, including vs England and France
Flanker: Scott Book - 2000s/2010s -Athletic, soaring lineout leaps, energetic in loose, great support lines, deft offloads, mighty turnovers and tackles
Number 8: Kai Harwood - 2000s/2010s - Inspirational leader, 10 years club captain, powerful ball carrier, try scorer supreme, low centre of gravity, devastating tackler, pride and passion in Avon – started playing at London Irish & also represented Somerset