The final score line saw the Bristol side just come out on top with a 33 – 30 win in a pulsating game of end to end rugby which featured 9 tries to captivate the large crowd at Hicks Field.

Avon made a storming start, dominating the first quarter through their powerful pack and forceful backs. They opened up an early lead as the versatile Jake Coates sliced through the defence for their first try, converted by Jonny Batchelor. Shortly afterwards, a well-rehearsed midfield move released Iain Parris who was hauled down just short but quickly recycled ball was moved to the supporting Dan Cousineau who crashed over the try line. Batchelor again added the extras to open up a 14 point lead.

Although reeling from this early onslaught, Old Reds showed a glimpse of their dangerous backline with a sweeping counterattack to open their account with a converted try. Playing with the advantage of the strong wind, Avon once again increased their intensity, well marshalled by skipper Kane Book. The resulting pressure forced Old Reds to start to concede penalties, two of which were converted by Batchelor to build a healthy lead.

This lead was gradually whittled down as the visitors backs produced some lovely moves to add two further tries to reduce the deficit to a single point. Knowing that they needed a more sizeable lead with the wind at their backs, Avon turned down two penalty attempts and forced two 5 metre line out drives seeking tries but were held up over the line by excellent defence. They also regretted some unwanted lapses in discipline in the first half, suffering three separate yellow cards which resulted in them playing 30 minutes a man short.

Within five minutes of the restart, Old Reds capitalised on a dropped pass on halfway to sprint clear for another converted try to take the lead. This was cancelled out shortly afterwards as committed Avon defence allowed Batchelor to intercept a hurried pass before outpacing the visitors chasers to score in the corner.

As the game ebbed and flowed, the Reds centre powered through for another try but Avon were not yet finished. With Liam Ridley making his debut off the bench at hooker, the home side once again launched a series of attacks with Josh Hiscott and Zak Harwood leading the way with powerful surges up field. Choosing a scrum rather than a penalty in front of the posts, the tactic paid off as fly half Coates ghosted through the despairing tackles for Avon’s bonus point try and also securing the losing bonus point in the process.

Avon 2nds played Chipping Sodbury 2nds in a friendly, finishing the wrong side of a 30 – 19 margin. Skipper Ben Hurd led the way with two tries and a conversion, whilst Paul Bates also weighed in with a try and conversion. Rhys van den Handel and debutant Oscar McCormack produced impressive displays up front. Special mention must be made for Avon veteran Mark Kelly who sacrificed a rare outing to act as the emergency referee.