After both sides tested each other out in the early stages, Oldfield took the lead as their centre took advantage of a bobbling ball from a misdirected pass to cut through midfield before it was switched for a try in the right corner. Avon immediately hit back to level as Jakes Coates made a break and dummied before offloading to Iain Parris who rode two tackles to make the try line. Unfortunately for Avon, their influential number 8 Dan Cousineau was then forced to leave the field after suffering a hamstring injury which removed one of their gain line attacking threats.

Charles Shakespeare added a penalty for the hosts before Josh Nicholson supported a half break to touch down near the posts for a converted try. Jonny Batchelor and Rhys van den Handel both launched attacking forays for Avon but every time they neared the red zone, they seemed to concede a penalty to allow the pressure to be eased. Oldfield’s defence was also well organised as they nullified Avon’s attacks through the middle and also managed to cleverly sack several driving lineout mauls.

With half time approaching, Batchelor slotted a penalty to reduce the deficit to 7 points at the interval. At 15-8, Avon really needed to score next after the break but instead suffered a calamitous 5 minutes. Firstly, Ollie Hayes picked up a loose ball and charged through from an undefended ruck to offload to Ben Lansdown to gallop over the try line. Then Hayes himself was the beneficiary as he added another converted try from a blind side scrum move.

A dazzling counter attacking run from fullback Billy Coombes scythed through the visitors defence before the ball eventually reached number 8 James Miller to touch down their 5th try. Suddenly at 32-8, Avon were staring down the barrel but showed admirable spirit and resilience to mount a comeback in the final quarter. Gradually Avon’s power game started to reap rewards as Escher le Duc, Ian Burnell and Ben May started to make inroads.

Eventually the pressure told as Oldfield were forced into conceding multiple penalties to stem the tide before scrumhalf Kiddie Sheikh touched down from a massive line out surge. Then on the opposite side of the field, a similar drive saw hooker Sam Book force his way over for his 4th try of the season. With Avon now in the ascendency, they went searching for their bonus point try and were rewarded as Sheikh completed his double as he scampered over from a forward drive. With the clock ticking down, Avon sought another score to also add a losing bonus point but Oldfield’s defence held firm to clinch their win.

On Saturday, Avon host Chew Valley 2nds at Hicks Field.