This lifts them to 10th place in Western Counties North at the mid stage of the season.

On a gluepot of a pitch and with a howling cross field wind, Avon mastered the conditions excellently in a breath-taking first half during which they scored 4 tries to open up a 26-3 lead inside the first 30 minutes.

Fullback James Leeming won the plaudits with a try hat-trick but the result was based on a tremendous first half display from the Avon pack to deny the hosts any meaningful possession. This was backed up with committed defensive tackling in the backs which stopped the dangerous Chew runners in their tracks.

Although forced to field another makeshift back row formation, this worked in Avon's favour as Harry Fuller on his debut, Sam Book and Josh Harding-Wyatt all enjoyed excellent games in the loose.

Avon took an early lead with the first of Leeming's tries down the narrow side, magnificently converted from the touchline by Rob Fitch. Well worked possession from their dominant scrum provided the platform for their next try as Leeming dummied through for his second.

Chew reduced the deficit with a penalty from Alex Cameron before Avon launched a powerful forward drive to take play close to the home line where Chaz Meddick proved unstoppable as he barged over for a well-deserved try.

A rare Chew excursion into Avon's 22 seemed dangerous before Leeming read the play to intercept and sprint 70 metres for his third and Avon's bonus point try, again converted by Fitch.

After several storming runs up the middle, a rib injury forced centre Stu Dilloway to leave the field just before half time and this seemed to affect Avon's momentum as Chew began to whittle away at the lead. Playing a tighter game after the interval, they scored 2 tries from lineout drives by Darren Jefferies and added a third after a series of pick-and-drives from their pack.

With the margin reduced to 26-18, and Chew seeking another score, Avon dug deep into their reserves of energy to take play back into the home territory. Although two monstrous forward charges were held up just short of the Chew line, a final penalty from Fitch put the result beyond doubt for a magnificent away win to end Chew's unbeaten home record.

Avon's next match is on Saturday 2nd January at Barts Rugby by which time they are hopeful that some of their injured contingent will be back in action.