Avon controlled the game well throughout with their pack impressing as a well-drilled forward unit. This ensured a steady supply of quick clean possession from the rucks as they recycled the ball well to maintain continuity and pressure.

This front-foot ball allowed Avon’s powerful centre pairing of Zak Harwood and Escher le Duc to punch holes through the midfield, well supported by Matt Thresher and Arnie Jarvis out wide. Meanwhile debutant Addy Arole was mesmerising with his attacking forays from full back, regularly making 30 to 40 metres with his pace and balanced running.

This ensured that tries flowed at regular intervals but also satisfying was their excellent defence which kept Sulians scoreless, although the visitors competed strongly to maintain a good contest throughout.

Up front, another debutant shone as young Tom Baldwin put in a series of crunching tackles and dominant carries in the back row.

The all-round teamwork bodes well for the forthcoming season, although the coaching team recognise that some more testing challenges will be posed in the Counties 2 Somerset league, starting with the visit of Bridgwater on Saturday.

Despite the darkness, regular supporter Mike Butcher still managed to retrieve a wayward ball from the river to start off his new season challenge of never losing a ball to the swollen water downstream.