Winning Cup Run Continues

Although on the wrong end of a heavy defeat, Sulians battled to the end and posed several threats throughout with their blend of fast counter-attacking rugby but struggled to match Avon’s power, pace and experience as they ran in 10 tries at regular intervals.

It was in fact Sulians who opened the scoring with an early penalty as they made a useful start to the match but Avon immediately responded with a multi-phased attack that eventually saw Xander Davis power through for their opening try. Minutes later, new prop Ryan Dellow marked his 1st team debut as he finished off several close quarter drives to crash over the tryline. With Avon starting to monopolise possession, a flowing threequarter move ended with Zak Harwood adding another try out wide. Then a scything midfield break from Scott Book fed Alex Gapper who weaved through for his 17th try of the season. With Jonny Batchelor converting all 4 tries, Avon had suddenly opened up a healthy lead inside the first quarter.

Sulians tried to make the most of their scraps of possession by moving the ball to their elusive midfield runners but were bottled up by some tremendous Avon tackling led by Lucas Pratt and some well-won turnovers from Chaz Meddick. As the half drew to a close, Avon added two more tries, firstly as Pratt finished off another fluid attack for a try in the corner, then as the prolific Ben Hurd took route one from quick ruck ball inside the 22 for his 19th try of the campaign.

Facing a 38-3 deficit at the interval, Sulians enjoyed their best spell of the match as they held out Avon’s attacks for the next 20 minutes whilst also seeking to break out from their stranglehold with occasional forays upfield to test the visitors defence. With Avon ringing the changes to involve their reliable bench, the floodgates finally opened as Dellow crashed through for his second try. Two more tries followed in quick succession as Avon launched ambitious attacks from halfway with replacement winger Chris Batchelor also celebrating his 1st team debut with two touchdowns. As the game neared its conclusion, an exquisitely timed pass from James Leeming put Jonny Batchelor through a gap for the final try to add to another two conversions in a 17 point personal haul.

Avon face Combe Down in the vase final on the Rec on Wednesday 17th April with a 6pm kick off before the main cup final follows afterwards between Bath University and Midsomer Norton.