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Memories 2011: 2nds Become League Champions
A variation on the theme for this 7th selection – not strictly a single notable match but a sequence of memorable performances for the 2nd team squad
After their 3rd place finish in Somerset 3 North the previous season, they were rewarded for their efforts by a magnificent season which culminated with them finishing as league champions. They got off to a great start, registering their highest-ever league win as they defeated Imperial by 94-6 with three separate try hat-tricks from full back Mark Carpenter, and wingers Dan Mutlow and Jack Beech. Terry Wynes racked up 34 points himself with 2 tries and 12 conversions for a Club record in an individual match. Further tries were also added by Steve Brown, Steve Bishop and Chris Hurd to complete the rout. The following week, they were at it again as they crushed Midsomer Norton 55 nil. Long-serving prop Glen Bodman led the way with 3 tries whilst newcomer Jake Dixon added two more from the second row. Further tries came from Dan Mutlow, Stuart Brown and Rod Theaker, whilst Terry Wynes weighed in with 6 conversions and a penalty.
A narrow 17-15 win against Nailsea/Backwell brought them back to reality before they exploded again with a crushing 67 nil win over Yatton to clock up 233 points in only 4 matches. Dan Mutlow scored his second hat-trick of tries whilst RAF pilot Dave Savage flew in for another 3. Avon’s young props also joined in the act with Josh Harding-Wyatt slotting a brace of tries and Chris Hurd touching down another. Terry Wynes continued his purple patch of points scoring with 7 conversions and another try.
With these free-scoring results, it was perhaps no surprise when Old Sulians forfeited their match against the 2nds the following week before the first blip on the 2nds horizon occurred when they lost their unbeaten record to Old Culverhaysians by 12-3. In a strange twist of fate, this result was later in the season expunged from the record books when Old Culverhaysians were expelled from the league (along with Old Sulians) for failing to fulfil sufficient matches. The 2nds returned to winning ways with matches against Cheddar (29-8) and Frome (32-3), importantly scoring 4 tries in each to continue racking up bonus points in the newly-introduced scoring system that were to stand them in good stead at the end of the season.
They didn’t have it all their own way though as their promotion rivals Clevedon 3rds delivered a 43 nil hammering that made Avon take stock of their position and aspirations. Further wins followed against Midsomer Norton with tries from Chris Sawyer, Terry Wynes and two from Jack Ricketts (son of Avon full back John Ricketts from many years previously) and against Yatton (45-22), Oldfield (22-5) and Stotherts (55-7) with tries from Dan Mutlow (2), Josh Harding-Wyatt (2), brothers Pete and Andy Mead, Matt Bodman, Terry Wynes and Aaron Sawyer.
An upset occurred with a heavy loss to Nailsea/Backwell (38-0) but Avon got back on the right track with another bonus point win against Cheddar by 22-13, courtesy of tries from Paul Richardson, Josh Harding-Wyatt, Dan Mutlow and veteran winger Ian Northcott to go top of the table. They reinforced their position as leaders with a comprehensive 41-23 away win at Frome with the tries being shared between Ben Harding-Wyatt (3) Barney Simpson, Sam Book, Ian Northcott and Alex Morris.
With two matches left to play, this set up a vital clash with 2nd placed Clevedon where a win for the 2nds would see them clinch the title. Clevedon had other ideas though and became the only team to complete the double over Avon with a fiercely contested 20-12 victory. This left Avon with a single point lead over their rivals at the top of the table, with their fate in their own hands going into the last round of matches for an exciting finish to an exhilarating season.
As it turned out, it became something of an anti-climax on the day as Avon’s opponents Imperial (no doubt recalling their 94-6 hammering at the start of the season) forfeited the fixture, thus granting Avon the 5 match points. This ensured that they could not be overtaken and so the 2nds were crowned champions of Somerset 3 North with a fantastic record of Played 18, Won 15, Lost 3, Points For 548, Against 228. Despite the last day non-event, it goes without saying that the 2nds still celebrated in style, their achievement being just reward for a series of consistent wins over the course of the 2010-11 season and testimony to the hard work of the whole squad throughout their victorious campaign.