With 7 tries, this was their 5th win on the bounce and cements 5th place in Somerset Premier before a week off next Saturday

The game was largely dictated by two elements – the notorious slope and the howling wind. Stotherts enjoyed the benefit of the elements in the first half but were generally repelled by resilient Avon defence, led by Ian Burnell and Dan Griffin up front with Kiddie Sheikh and Tai Harwood in the backs.

The first quarter was scoreless as Avon worked their way up field but loose passes and turnovers allowed the Cranes to relieve the pressure with huge relieving kicks in the swirling wind, coupled with their attacking runners out wide. Eventually, after a disallowed try from the winger previously known as prolific Parris, Avon capitalised as Ben May won good front line out ball and, aided by a powerful drive from the pack, emerged from the pile of bodies for the opening try.

If anything, Avon were guilty of trying to play too much expansive rugby in the conditions and paid the price as their attacking move broke down in the home 22 which allowed Stotherts to hack the ball downfield for fly half Matt Watkins to win the race for the touchdown at the other end. Taylor Thatcher converted.

Avon responded strongly to the challenge and, after Matt Thresher and Jake Coates combined to move the ball upfield, skipper Kane Book continued a promising attack before prop Chris Mutlow magically appeared on the wing to score in the corner.

With a 10 – 7 half time lead against the elements, Avon were now in the ascendency and soon added their next try as Ben May finished off a series of short drives to score his second try. Allied to his good supply of line out ball and his work rate up front, this led to him receiving the Man-of-the-Match award afterwards.

Stotherts stiffened their defence and Avon over-elaborated some attacks as the next 20 minutes remained scoreless in the gale force wind but eventually the visitors power shone through with another 4 tries. Firstly, Josh Hiscott finished off a lovely handling move from the pack with a try under the posts. In the difficult conditions, this proved to be the only successful conversion as Rob Fitch split the uprights. Then the black and amber pack exerted another powerful scrum for Dan Cousineau to claim the touchdown for his first try for the club.

There was still time for a cameo performance from hooker Ben Hurd who added his experience off the bench with the Avon front row now boasting over 1000 caps for the team after head coach Harwood heartlessly broke Book's attempted appearance record for the season! With a line out drive just 5 metres from the home line, there was only one outcome as Hurd resisted all challenges for the ball (including his own side) to power over the try line.

Meanwhile the Cranes showed their appetite at the other end as centre Dan Gregory took advantage of some lax defence to cut a great line to score under the posts with Rowan Coombes adding the extras. But there was no denying the evergreen Hurd as Avon had the last word after another powerful surge from their pack saw him put the finishing gloss on an excellent squad performance with their final try.

Next week Avon enjoy a well-earned rest before resuming action at home to Tor on 26th March.