Their start was inauspicious, failing to deal with the kick off which allowed Saints to score the opening try with less than a minute’s play. As it transpired, this proved to be their only points of the match as Avon completely dominated proceedings thereafter.

Within 5 minutes, Avon immediately responded to take the lead as scrum half Ollie Flight exploited the blindside to touch down out wide with Jonny Batchelor adding the conversion.

Most of the next half hour was played out around the home side’s 22 as Avon’s powerful pack dominated up front with their experienced props Chris Mutlow and Kane Book giving the hosts a torrid time in the set pieces. Only over-eagerness prevented a couple of extra scores before number 8 Dan Cousineau eventually finished off a pushover try.

With Rob Fitch utilising the tricky wind well with a series of huge tactical kicks, Avon again laid siege to St Bernadettes line and were twice denied try scoring opportunities from line out drives after players became disengaged in front of the ball carrier. Finally a quickly taken tap penalty 5 metres out was only halted illegally by the desperate hosts defence, thus conceding a penalty try.

With a comfortable cushion, the Avon backs started to express themselves more freely with Tom Boreham proving a real handful to contain in midfield. A well-rehearsed planned move on halfway saw Jake Coates switch infield from the wing to carve through a huge gap up the middle of the pitch to score under the posts for the bonus point try.

The Bristol side showed glimpses of their potential shortly before the interval with a sustained attack through a dozen phases but were repelled by relentless Avon tackling, leaving a 28 – 5 score line at half time.

After a fairly frenetic opening, Batchelor settled things down with a penalty to add to his conversions. Then tireless flanker Rhys van den Handel was rewarded for an all-action performance with his maiden try for the club after another blindside snipe from Flight.

Although constantly on the defensive, Saints still persevered with their fly half and left wing occasionally looking dangerous but were restricted to counterattacks from deep by the incessant Avon pressure. Another tactical kick from Fitch to the corner set up an attacking lineout position with Sam Book the beneficiary from a powerful catch and drive to score out wide.

As the game petered out, Avon scored their 7th try after Josh Hiscott intercepted a loose pass and offloaded for 2nd row partner Xander Davis to crash over near the corner flag with Batchelor converting magnificently from the touchline.

Next Saturday Avon host 2nd placed Taunton at Hicks Field.