It had all started with so well as Avon burst out of the blocks with an outstanding try in the first two minutes. A well-rehearsed backs move split Imps defence and prolific winger Iain Parris showed a clean pair of heels as he scorched through to touch down under the posts. Jonny Batchelor added the extras.

Imperial grew into the game, playing down the slope, and started to exert pressure which resulted in an unconverted try after 10 minutes. In the rainy conditions, Avon were guilty of trying to play too much pretty rugby which didn’t really get anywhere with the greasy ball. Third placed Imperial meanwhile adopted a more effective pragmatic style in an attempt to cut down their mistakes and force Avon errors. With prop Chris Mutlow forced to leave the field and Ben Hurd filling in admirably in the front row, only determined defence with Escher Le Duq and Will Hayward to the fore kept Imps out.

Then in first half injury time, two close quarter scrums tied in the defence allowing Imperial to take the lead with a converted try. Avon’s nemesis struck immediately after half time as they failed to deal cleanly with the restart and Imperial capitalised with another converted try. This 14 point swing ultimately proved decisive.

With Avon having 5 first choice backs unavailable, it wasn’t surprising that their focus in the worsening conditions was on the pack, although special credit was due to versatile 41 year old stalwart Damo Sawyer who stepped in with aplomb at scrum half. Forward charges from Dan Cousineau, Josh Hiscott and Ben May suddenly put Avon on the front foot as they camped inside the home 22 and pounded the line. Eventually the pressure told and the ball was switched to the blindside from another dominant scrum for Parris to saunter over for his second try.

Avon launched all out attacks inside the last 5 minutes but were denied by a determined home defence which saw Imperial clinch their 4th win from 5 games. Next week Avon host Weston Super Mare 2nds at Hicks Field.