This result demonstrates the discrepancy in the RFU levels between the Western Counties league structure and the Southern Counties defined equivalent with both clubs in theory operating at the same level.

In the clash of the “Avons”, it was Bradford who made a spirited start with a stream of possession but came up against an unrelenting home defence and suddenly found themselves 17 nil down after 3 Avon tries inside the opening quarter of an hour. A magnificent Dan Cousineau break created the position for the first try as Xander Hall-Davis crashed over. Then cleanly won line out ball from skipper Kane Book resulted in a monstrous drive for Ben Hurd to emerge with the touchdown. Another period of Avon pressure was rewarded as Ollie Flight sniped down the blind side for their third try.

The next quarter saw Avon trying to force things too much whilst BoA offered several dangerous individual runners to threaten in attack. From one of these, an inside pass allowed Charlie Brown to reduce the gap with a try converted by Iwan Legg. After an adventurous foray from near their own line, Avon worked the ball up field and another two line out surges eventually saw the predatory Hurd collect his second try.

Again Bradford on Avon responded and a fine individual break ended with Will Dudman touching down another try before Avon had the last word of the half as Flight supported well to add his second try for a commanding 31-14 lead at the interval.

Avon’s power and experience really came to the fore in the second half. The opening move allowed the ball to flow along the three quarter line for Ali Kingdon to show great determination to power over in the corner. Then two quickfire tries from winger Jack Moore opened up a huge gap on the scoreboard, firstly as he gathered a chip ahead to scorch over the line and secondly as a dazzling sidestep resulted in his second try.

Rob Fitch converted both in an impressive display off the kicking tee as he ended up with 19 points in the match but his Man-of-the-Match award was earned by his tactical awareness and an array of delicate short passes, aligned to fizzing long passes to put his colleagues into space.

With Jonny Batchelor and Dan Griffin making welcome long-awaited comebacks off the bench after lengthy injury absences, Avon continued to move through the gears with Cousineau next to score after yet another powerful run.

To their credit, Bradford did not cave in and were compensated with two consolation tries as Dudman scored his second, whilst scrum half Kian Healey capped a fine individual display as one of his dangerous runs was rewarded with their 4th try of the evening.

As the game wound down, Avon were still ruthless enough to add two final tries with Hall-Davis the beneficiary of another line out drive before Will Bartholomew rounded off an impressive performance with Avon’s 11th try after a mesmerising midfield break.

On Tuesday 22nd Avon now travel to Melksham in the quarter final before the winners are away to Midsomer Norton the following week.