Avon roar back to seal stunning win
In an astonishing ten-try thriller, Avon fought back to edge a 37-31 win against an impressive Burnham side to present coach Kai Harwood an excellent birthday present. An error-strewn first half gifted Burnham two tries after they capitalised on a knock-on from a lineout, then took advantage of a midfield interception, both tries converted. Avon struck back as Jonny Batchelor stepped inside to shrug off the tacklers for a try he converted himself. After a good spell of Avon pressure, Batchelor added a penalty before the visitors extended their lead with their third try as they picked off an overlap out wide. The topsy-turvy nature continued as half breaks from Tom Boreham, then Alex Gapper sucked in the defence before Zak Harwood crashed over. Burnham collected their bonuspoint try shortly before half-time as an inside pass from their fly-half opened the home defence for another converted score and an 11-point half-time lead. In the second half, Avon grew into the game as their pack started to dominate and denied Burnham’s dangerous runners’ front-foot ball. In turn, it was Avon’s opportunity to demonstrate their attacking prowess as swiftly recycled ball was transferred to powerful centre Harwood, who surged through for his second try, converted by Batchelor. Avon suddenly took the lead for the first time as the game entered the last quarter, the tireless Ian Burnell finishing off a lineout drive. Burnham weren’t finished yet and exploited lax defence to regain the lead with their fifth try. With time running out, Avon increased their intensity and tested Burnham’s defence on both flanks before working the ball wide where Chris Mutlow produced an outrageous sidestep then outpaced the cover defence to score the winning try in the corner. Batchelor slotted the touchline conversion and added a final penalty with the last act of an entertaining game as Burnham desperately tried to run out of their 22. Harwood said: “I’m proud of the never-say-die attitude of this team who overturned a threatening deficit against some well-drilled opponents. “The versatility of the players, epitomised by man-of-the-match Sam Book, also made light of several enforced changes from last week.” Avon travel to take on Imperial next week while the 2nd XV host Oldfield 3rds.
■ Avonvale
Chippenham’s 2nd XV were completely outplayed as Avonvale ran out 101-0 winners in near perfect conditions on Bathford’s Crown Field. Chippenham had no answer to Vale’s pace and power both in the forwards and the backs. Vale were so dominant they secured a try-scoring bonus within 14 minutes. First on the score board was centre Drew Retford after he broke through some weak tackling for a try under the posts. Straight from the kick-off Vale moved the ball wide and winger Jack Burcombe scored under the posts. And three minutes later Retford scored his second, followed quickly with a try by fly-half Steve Grant. Second row Marcus Larbelestier was rewarded for his support play with a try and winger Tobias Adlam then danced his way to the line followed by a crash over score from No8 George Hobbs. Another Larbelestier try completed the first half scoring as Vale turned around 54-0 up. They never let up in the second half and after a strong scrum Hobbs barrelled over from close range. Adlam scored his second try after great support play from the forwards. With Vale running everything, Grant crossed out wide, then Burcombe scored the try of the game when he collected the ball on his own 22 and set off towards the Chippenham line. Evading all the tackles and with a great turn of pace he raced away to score under the posts. Larbelestier then scored back-toback tries to bring his tally to four for the day and scrum-half Alex Pugh scored an astonishing 15th try of the day. Grant kicked 13 out of 15 conversions. Vale paid credit to Chippenham, who never gave up all day but just came across a side who played their best game this season. Next Saturday Vale are away to Combe Down while the 2nd XV are home to Keynsham 3rds.
■ walcot
The 2nds went down to Weston-super-mare 3rds with a makeshift side and took a bonus point in defeat. They were punished for starting slowly, with the hosts scoring three early tries in the first 15 minutes. It took Walcot until the 23rd minute to get on the scoreboard when flanker, Tom Mitchell took a quick penalty from ten yards and broke through a handful of players to ground the ball. Weston, however struck back quickly through sloppy defending to make the score 26-5 and leaving Walcot with a big hill to climb. The bath side were being of the ball by a well-organised and physical Weston side, whose defence was solid. The visitors were dealt a further blow when they lost fly-half Nick Dagger to an ankle injury. Walcot did have some joy when scrum-half Ross Collins stepped inside his man and went over for a try under the posts in the 35th minute which he converted himself. Weston scored one more try before half-time to lead 33-12. The second half saw an improved performance, though Walcot were never really in contention after three more tries from Weston saw them ahead 50-12 by the 55th minute. The Bath side were determined to get something from the game. Captain Rick Messer led by example making some great tackles and Alex Stephenson made strong runs as did young prop Alex Phantis. Mitchell also made himself a nuisance at the breakdowns, using his physicality to win some ball. Walcot scored three unanswered tries through strong-running centre Scott Fitsall, No8 Neil Meade, who sealed the try-scoring bonus, and winger Keiran Cunningham who capped a man of the match performance. Weston scored one last try in the 80th minute to finish the game the worthy winners at 55-29. The visitors were solid in the setpiece but didn’t defend well against a big and experienced Weston outfit Walcot thanked man of the match sponsor Nando’s Bath Vaults and beer sponsor Brick Worker for their contributions.
■ BATH combination
The initial draws for the Cup and Vase competitions have been made. In the Combination Cup, Walcot will host Midsomer Norton, while Frome are home to Corsham. The University of Bath team will welcome Chippenham, as Keynsham were drawn home to Trowbridge. The Combination Vase draw threw out a local derby between Avon and Avonvale, with Oldfield Old Boys set to host Stothert & Pitt. Colerne were pulled out of the hat at home with Combe Down their visitors, with Old Sulians drawn on their own soil against Bradford on Avon. Bath Saracens will tackle Old Culverhaysians, while Westbury will face Melksham in a Wiltshire derby. Bath Old Edwardians were given a bye. The finals night will once again be staged at the Rec on Wednesday, April 17.