Scoring 3 tries apiece, the teams were eventually separated by 2 penalties as Gordano edged home by 25-19, leaving Avon to pick up a losing bonus point for their efforts.

Gordano dominated the first half hour, controlling the ball through their close forward driving play and showing good fluidity in their backs. An early penalty gave them the lead and only committed Avon defence managed to hold out several scoring opportunities. Eventually, the dam burst as Sam Hodge powered through the centre to score a converted try under the posts.

Avon finally started to string some phases together and put some pressure on inside the visitors half. Quick lineout ball off the top from Scott Book was moved swiftly through Tom Boreham in midfield to set up an attacking ruck where fly half Stu Dilloway cut through to feed Xander Davis for Avon’s opening try. Jonny Batchelor added the extras and Avon should have taken the lead on the stroke of half time as they failed to capitalise on a well-created overlap for the try to go begging in the corner.

With Chaz Meddick adding power and experience from the bench, Avon soon made amends after the interval as they recycled the ball from charges by Zak Harwood, Ian Burnell and Josh Hiscoff to allow scrum half Alex Gapper to burrow over for a try to celebrate his birthday in a man-of-the-match performance.

Gordano again responded well with a succession of close quarter drives near the try line before referee Tony Spreadbury awarded a penalty try after a collapsed maul, sin binning Meddick in the process. Making light of the numerical disadvantage, Avon launched a tremendous counter-attack by Rory Crowther from deep inside their own half. After transferring the ball through several pairs of hands, Crowther was again on hand to finish off the move, touching down their 3rd try under the posts. The simple conversion brought up Batchelor’s 50 points for the season.

In this topsy-turvy game, Gordano eventually took advantage of their numbers and stretched the defence with a try for Phil Hodder to score in the corner to open up a 3 point lead. Still Avon came back and thought that they had the winning score, only for the try to be disallowed they drove across the line. A final penalty with the last kick of the game eventually consolidated Gordano’s win in an entertaining match at Hicks Field where Avon lost for the first time this season.

Avon 2nds beat neighbours Avonvale 2nds in a high scoring match by 68 points to 24. Three Avon players each scored a hat-trick as Ben Hurd, Will Monachino-Ayres and Sam Wykes enjoyed the crisp handling conditions. Skipper Dan Mutlow, Andy van Roy and Connor also crossed for Avon tries. Late arrival Kevin Keeley made a notable appearance for Avon, taking the field just as the referee blew the final whistle!