In a relentless display of fluent rugby with the forwards and backs posing threats all over the field, Avon racked up 15 tries and 11 conversions to earn their 5th successive win and their largest margin for several years. This cements their 6th place in Somerset Premier at the halfway stage of matches in the league.

The forwards set the tone early on as they dominated the lineouts with Dan Griffin and Kane Book ruling the skies before launching 40 metre drives to suck in the visitors defence. This exposed gaps out wide which Avon exploited with some champagne rugby, allowing the backs to demonstrate their full repertoire of silky running and handling skills. The main beneficiary was Escher Le Duq whose mixture of powerful and elusive running was personally rewarded with 4 scintillating tries. Close behind was fellow centre Ollie Flight whose deft distribution and eye for the try line resulted in a hat trick, which was also matched by speedster James Leeming who showed flair and pace to run in another 3 tries out wide.

To their credit, Hornets never folded and had some useful individual players but didn’t combine effectively as a team and, when they tried to attack, were met by a wall of determined defence epitomised by an all-action display of tackling and turnovers from Will Hayward and Ian Burnell.

With a 38 nil half time lead, Avon maintained their focus and discipline in the 2nd half with a ruthless display to rack up further tries at regular intervals. Their powerful 2nd row got in on the act as Xander Davis bulldozed through some despairing tackles to touch down, whilst his partner Ben May finished off some dangerous supporting runs to cut a great line for his try. Scrumhalf Kiddie Sheik capitalised on a strike against the head to scamper unopposed up the blind side from an attacking scrum, then hooker Sam Book capped a fine game to score a well-deserved try.

After prop Chris Mutlow was tackled just short after a 60 metre dash up the touchline, replacement Matt Thresher finished off another magical flowing move to canter through for another try. Jonny Batchelor slotted 6 conversions before being yellow carded for a high tackle but, as the tries kept flowing, Chris Flavell took over the kicking duties and added another 5 successful conversions.

With Louis Belsten and Chaz Meddick joining the action off the bench, Avon found themselves in the unusual position of having the luxury of replacing both their usual props, Kane Book and Chris Mutlow, in a match for the first time ever. Another first, saw the match completed with neither Scott nor Kane Book on the pitch for the first time in over 11 years (fortunately Sam was there to uphold the family tradition) Finally, another first was experienced as Josh Harding Wyatt (who also played) was unusually quiet.

As Avon sought the final score to top the century with a furious onslaught in the closing minutes, Hornets tackled with determination and pride to protect their try line and took some satisfaction in denying this milestone.

Next Saturday, Avon know they will face a far sterner test as they travel to take on unbeaten league leaders Burnham.