The scene was set inside the first two minutes when a powerful line out surge saw hooker Sam Book emerge from the pile of bodies to score the first try of their campaign. Rob Fitch slotted the conversion in what would prove to be the first of many. However Imperial responded with their trademark physical approach and, after a series of close quarter attacks, moved the ball wide for their winger to close the gap with a try in the corner.

For a large part of the first half, it was nip and tuck as the two sides tested each other’s defences before Fitch extended their lead with a successful penalty. Avon were guilty of squandering a few scoring chances through wrong options but slowly gained the edge, led by an impressive performance in the back row from Dan Cousineau, Will Bartholomew and Dan Griffin.

Zak Harwood proved an imposing presence throughout in midfield and one typical burst opened up the chance for Matt Thresher to touch down under the posts for another converted try to open up a 17-5 lead at half time. Unfortunately debutant Ali Kingdon was forced to leave the field after one sparkling run ended his afternoon with a torn hamstring.

As the second half developed, Avon started to exploit their dominance as their pack got on top and the backs started to demonstrate some silky handling skills. A 50 metre blindside break from Kiddie Sheikh eventually saw the ball recycled for Thresher to add his second in the opposite corner. Fitch again converted and then ghosted through the midfield to score a lovely individual try near the posts.

With Avon fully in the ascendancy now and confidence high, they ruthlessly exploited a tiring and demoralised visitors defence. Crisp handling along the back line saw an 80 metre counter attack end with Iain Parris gleefully scoring at the other end. Then he fielded a speculative Imperial kick deep inside his own half, eluded 4 would-be tacklers before offloading to Will Bartholomew to celebrate his debut with a try. Fitch added the final two conversions to complete a 20 point personal haul and clinch the man-of-the-match award.

Earlier the Avon 2nd team hosted the MOD Abbeywood side and enjoyed a thrilling end to end encounter. The two teams shared 3 tries apiece with Avon’s skipper Ben Hurd collecting a hat trick. As the match entered its final minute with the scores evenly balanced at 17-17, the MOD clinched a narrow win with a penalty from the last kick of the match. Although the match was played in great spirit and camaraderie between the two sides, it was unfortunately marred by an accidental injury to young Avon prop Ryan Holloman in his first senior match who ended up being taken to hospital by ambulance with a broken leg.

Next week, Avon travel to Bristol take on St Bernadettes