Avon 1st
Matches
Sat 01 Sep 2018  ·  Tribute Somerset Premier
Yatton
30
27
Avon RFC
Avon 1st
Tries: O Flight, L Pratt, D Griffin, J Leeming, A GapperConversions: J Batchelor
2 bonus points consolation as Avon thwarted in closing minutes

2 bonus points consolation as Avon thwarted in closing minutes

Steve Bird4 Sep 2018 - 17:13
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In a 10 try thriller, Avon were cruelly denied as Yatton snatched a 30-27 win in the dying minutes of an enthralling match.

Missing a few key players, Avon went behind early on from a penalty, then conceded a converted try from the restart to leave themselves 10 points adrift inside the opening 5 minutes. They halved the deficit shortly afterwards, recycling the ball through multiple phases before quick-thinking Ollie Flight stormed through a midfield gap and left a trail of would-be tacklers in his wake as he surged over for Avon’s opening try. Avon then drew level with a well-worked try exported from the training paddock as Lucas Pratt, Alex Gapper and James Leeming exploited the blindside before the supporting Pratt finished off a flowing movement in his man-of-the-match performance on his return from a year in Australia.

From then on, there was never more than a single score lead in the match as Yatton – who were only relegated from Western Counties North last season after having been docked 10 points for an administrative oversight – showed their dangerous qualities in attack. It was no surprise when they regained the lead as they picked off Avon’s defence through the outside channel for their threatening fullback to touch down his second try.

Avon made the perfect start to the second half as their forwards combined with a fine inter-passing movement covering 50 metres before makeshift second row Dan Griffin crashed over for the try to again draw level. Better still, they took the lead for the first time as scrum half Gapper reacted the quickest to an attempted penalty shot that rebounded off the posts to find speedster Leeming in support who scorched over in the corner for their bonus point try. Jonny Batchelor added the conversion from the touchline.

The Avon pack now had the edge with Sam Book stealing a couple of strikes against the head and skipper Scott Book dominating the lineouts but this was nullified as Xander Davis was yellow-carded. Yatton took advantage of the extra man with a series of forward drives before eventually forcing their way over for another unconverted try. Yatton ramped up the pressure and, although Avon turned over the ball from another home attack, they failed to cleanly clear their lines and Yatton once again took the lead with their bonus point try.

This spurred Avon into action as they again launched a massive attack on the home line before Gapper sniped over for their 5th try, giving them a narrow 2 point lead to defend to win the match. With the clock in overtime, Yatton triggered one last desperate attack and were delighted as they found space out wide to sneak the win in the closing minutes. Afterwards coach Kai Harwood said “The 2 bonus points provide some consolation but, in reality with some better game management, this was a match that we should have closed out”

Next week Avon travel away again to face newly-promoted Bristol Barbarians.

Match details

Match date

Sat 01 Sep 2018

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

Tribute Somerset Premier

League position

1
Avon
14
Yatton
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