Having beaten the Bristol side twice last year, Avon went into this game hoping to reverse their fortunes following two narrow defeats in previous weeks but found a renewed Imperial side in excellent form.

The set pieces were even throughout the game but Avon could not exert their usual dominance at scrum time. Imperial’s veteran scrum half Ross Hickory used all his skill and experience to control the match and opened the scoring after 3 minutes with a classic show and go from the back of a ruck. Shortly after, the hosts extended their lead with another try following a kick and chase down the right touchline.

Avon seemed out of sorts for most of the game but showed a few glimpses of what they were capable of in attack. Following some good work by Kiddie Sheikh, playing in the unfamiliar full back position, winger Matt Thresher raced away up the slope from 50 metres for an excellent score.

At this point with a 12 – 7 deficit, Avon looked very much like they might get back in the game with only 10 minutes until half time and the benefit of the slope to follow. Then they got hit with a triple whammy. Firstly, they lost back row and their main source of lineout ball, Dan Griffin, to an ankle ligament injury and then second row Ben Hurd also went off with a neck injury. Finally, winger Ian Parris soon followed them off the field with a yellow card for a high tackle.

Imperial took full advantage and ran in two quick tries before half time and another immediately after the interval, taking full advantage of having the extra man. The home side were playing some good rugby using a potent mixture of hard running lines with a good offload and support game.

Avon were scrambling in defence at times, however the rearranged side dug in and started taking the game to the Bristol side in an attempt to get something for their efforts. Avon’s 2nd try also came from deep with Sheikh combining down the right touchline with Parris to outpace the home defence for the touchdown.

Imperial however added a further 3 tries themselves before the final whistle, leaving Avon’s focus firmly on getting the try bonus point. The next step towards this was achieved after good work from the forwards to suck in the home defence and an excellent cross kick from Fitch allowed Thresher to dot down for his second try.

Avon were now hunting the 4th try. Playing off a lineout deep in their own territory, Zak Harwood carried into the Imperial half and 10 phases later, following some great handling and a surging run by Man-of-the-Match Ian Burnell, Thresher jinked over wide out for his hat trick try to secure the bonus point. Rob Fitch slotted his 4th conversion from the touchline to complete a perfect day from the tee.

Next week, Avon face unbeaten league leaders Clevedon at Hicks Field and will be hoping to welcome back some of their unavailable players from last weekend.