Avon's had to be content with a losing bonus point as their depleted side
could not hold on to a half time lead against a well organised Bristolians
side.

Although they were able to welcome back Scott Book and Ben Hurd. The
loss off 4 other first team regulars meant once again Avon had to reshuffle
their team. With Rhodri Theaker, Chris Eames and Josh Hardin-Wyatt all came in
for their seasonal debuts.

The visitors started brightly looking to put width
on the game and took an early lead from a straightforward penalty. Avon had the
edge at scrum time where Loose head Chaz Meddick was in outstanding form despite
carrying a injury picked up in the warmup.

With the edge upfront Avon
gradually exerted more pressure and after 30 mins were unlucky not to get a
penalty try when following a kick through where the Bristolians winger failed to
realise the ball on the ground 2 metres from the line whilst outnumbered four to
one.

Avon made the most of the subsequent penalty with a textbook catch and
drive which saw Hurd mark his return from his 7 week layoff with the touchdown,
Avon kept up the pressure on the visitors and Fitch gave them a 8 3 half time
lead with a well struck penalty.

The next score was always going to be
crucial and Avon were guilty of trying to play from too deep at time and
Bristolians soon levelled with simple pen. The visitors who included England 7s
player Steve Hunt in their backline always look sharp outside their struggling
Scrum and with 15 mins to go they broke through the Avon defence and moved the
ball wide to score in the corner.

Avon went in search of the win but the
visitor defence held firm and not for the first time this season They had to
settle for a losing bonus point.

Avon will be celebrating their 90 year
anniversary next week with a Captains v Coaches game and will be hoping that
when the return to action the following week at Stroud that the size of the
injury list will be greatly reduced.