However Avon retain their 2nd place in Counties 2 Somerset with Chew now only a single point behind in 3rd position.

On a boggy pitch swimming in mud and with swirling rain, open expansive rugby was at a premium but both sides endeavoured to put on a decent display despite the adverse conditions. This paid off for Chew before conditions deteriorated further as a lengthy miss pass opened up space on the right wing for them to score the opening try in the corner.

Avon struck back with a Jonny Batchelor penalty but this was soon negated as Chew replied in kind. For much of the first half, Chew dominated the possession and territory but were unable to make many inroads due to committed Avon defence, personified by Zak Harwood and Escher le Duc in midfield, whilst their back row of Dan Griffin, Rhys van den Handel and Jonny Griffiths worked wonders.

Eventually Chew were rewarded for their first half superiority as a flowing move in testing conditions saw their attack switch across field where their rangy lock forward surged over for a converted try.

When they soon added a third try shortly after the interval from their dangerous hooker, Avon were staring down the barrel at 20 points to 3 adrift. Yet they showed great team spirit led by man-of-the-match Kane Book to rally strongly and gradually began to turn the tables. For 20 minutes, Avon now started to control proceedings as they forced Chew back onto the defensive in their 22.

Winger Iain Parris, off the bench for his 100th 1st team performance, made a mesmerising run through the Chew defence. Then clean line out ball from Ben May set up a powerful drive with predatory Ben Hurd ready to pounce for the try, only to be denied by a collapsed maul. The subsequent penalty try reduced the deficit to 10 points and Avon were suddenly on the attack again inside the bottom corner. It was Chew’s turn to dig deep as they held out through excellent defence.

With the clock in the red, a rare break up field saw Chew close out the game with another penalty, allowing both sets of players to escape to the sanctuary of the hot showers.

On Saturday, Avon are at home to Wells.