This was based on outstanding defence to curtail the Wells attacks, allied with a ruthless efficiency in taking their own scoring chances in the red zone to bring up their 50 league points in Counties 2 Somerset.

Huge forward drives inside the first 10 minutes set up good field position, allowing Xander Davis to show great power to wrestle his way over the try line for the opening score. Jonny Batchelor added the extras.

Some massive scrum surges, with young prop Oscar McCormack excelling in both the tight and loose play in a man-of-the-match performance, pinned the visitors deep inside their own half. Then a heel against the head saw the ball swiftly transferred wide where Kiddie Sheikh sprinted clear for the touchdown. Again Batchelor converted from the corner.

Wells responded with some threatening attacks but were repelled by committed tackling led by Dan Cousineau up front and Tom Boreham in midfield to force turnovers and knock-ons.

The stiff breeze played havoc with some of Avon’s more ambitious handling moves but they adjusted their tactics to keep the ball closer with Jake Coates the beneficiary as he took a short pass after another powerful forward drive to score near the posts. Batchelor slotted his third successful conversion.

Shortly after half time, Dan Griffin stole a Wells line out and made a 50 metre sprint up the touch line before being bundled into touch near the corner flag. Keeping on the pressure inside the 22, a lineout drive resulted in Liam Ridley emerging from the pile of bodies for the bonus point try.

The following half hour became slightly disjointed as concerted forward play was disrupted by the need for uncontested scrums after the Wells hooker was forced from the field. Avon did threaten further scores from Iain Parris and Chris Mutlow but were denied close to the line and it was left to the visitors to score a consolation try with the last move of the match, which was well refereed throughout by Roger Gilson.