This result in their last league game of the season sees Avon cement 5th place in Counties 2 Somerset with Oldfield in 6th. For Avon it was also their 6th consecutive match with a try scoring bonus and a fitting tribute to the squad and coaches for their performances over the season.

From the outset, it was clear that Oldfield’s tactics were to speed up the game whenever possible and to spread the ball wide to try to get around their visitors defence. But as the game progressed so did Avon’s physical dominance with a series of powerful ball carriers amongst the forwards and backs alike imposing themselves on the game.

Playing into the fierce wind, Avon turned down a penalty chance in front of the posts and instead kicked to the corner. From the subsequent lineout, the Avon pack steamrollered over the try line for Liam Ridley to secure the touchdown.

Avon’s nemesis struck from the restart as Oldfield exploited a quickly-taken tap penalty to get in behind the defence before working the ball wide to take the lead with a converted try. Surging runs from Ian Burnell led Avon back up field but were repelled by sharp Oldfield tackling and lengthy relieving kicks from their half backs with the assistance of the strong gusts.

A well-worked blindside move from a set scrum put Avon ahead again as winger Iain Parris finished with aplomb in the corner. Again Oldfield responded well as they moved the ball wide before the supporting runner cut inside for another converted try to regain the lead.

The topsy-turvy scoring continued as patient Avon build up featuring Josh Hiscott and Zak Harwood led to Jake Coates committing the midfield defenders before offloading to Tom Boreham to crash over near the posts for a decisive score just before half time.

Although Avon lost influential flanker Dan Griffin with a nasty hand injury, they adapted well with Kane Book being an unlikely emergency source of line out ball at the back. With the wind at their backs, Avon soon started to dominate possession and territory forcing Oldfield to start conceding penalties. Jonny Batchelor then slotted one to add to his earlier conversion to open up a gap.

With Rob Fitch coming off the bench in a tactical switch to further control proceedings with his kicking game, Avon increased the pressure. Two penalties and resulting lineout drives created an attacking platform before Fitch hurtled over the line like an exocet to add the bonus point try. Batchelor again added the extras.

After Xander Davis went close and Dan Cousineau had a try disallowed, Batchelor fittingly ended the scoring with another penalty to clock up over 160 points for the season.

In the post match huddle, coach Kai Harwood congratulated his squad for their performances over the season. However the biggest cheer was reserved as he presented Jos Davies, who sponsors the man-of-the-match awards, with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of bubbly with a thank-you card from the players.