After a month without playing, Avon were decidedly rusty and, in terms of possession and territory, came off second best to a well drilled Midsomer Norton team yet quite clearly possessed a sharp striking force to run in 3 sparkling tries to clock up anot

Norton dominated the first 20 minutes with their close quarter driving forward play and also posed occasional problems through midfield from their dangerous fullback but could not break down a committed Avon defence that rose to the challenge.

Having withstood this initial pressure, a typical powerful break from Kai Harwood took play inside the visitor’s half and three successive bursts from the Avon pack forced repeated infringements that led to a yellow card. Taking advantage of the extra man, Avon were denied a try out wide after Sam Rowlands put a foot in touch in the act of scoring before Ben Hurd was held up over the line in the opposite corner. The pressure finally told as Rowlands made a scintillating blindside break before popping the ball inside to Chris Eames who dotted down for the opening try.

Trying to inject pace into the game, Avon started to move through the phases and Des Bowden added a second try with a sprint to the corner from a broken field attack. Both sides then added a penalty apiece for a 13 – 3 half time Avon lead.

The second half followed a similar pattern as Midsomer Norton took the lion’s share of the ball and camped inside the Avon half. They were rewarded for their endeavours with a well worked try to reduce the deficit after a lineout catch and drive allowed their pack to crash over the whitewash.

At 13 points to 8, Norton sensed an upset and tried to force home their advantage but were unable to make the final breakthrough. Instead it was Avon who potentially always looked the most dangerous when they tried to spread the ball wide and they struck again from turnover ball near half way as Rowlands scampered unopposed up the touchline for the decisive try under the posts that he also converted to seal the points.

Avon play local rivals Stotherts next weekend at Adams Field.

Avon 2nds beat Weston Super Mare 3rds by 18 points to 13, making it a father and son affair as Terry Wynes scored the opening try before Shaun Wynes making his comeback after a knee reconstruction also scored a try, conversion and 2 penalties.