Avon ready to start campaign
After 18 months without any competitive rugby at local community club levels, it was great to see the players and spectators once again enjoying live rugby at Hicks Field in the summer sunshine.
Avon and Walcot met in a preseason friendly, fielding a mixture of their 1st and 2nd team squads, with both sides appreciating an enjoyable first outing this season.
Avon gave debuts to newcomers George Jenkins and Tai Harwood on the wings and to flanker Jonny Griffiths who all gave impressive performances, whilst Zak Harwood excelled in midfield. In a promising start, Avon took an early lead as a sprightly looking Ollie Flight scored their opening try with Jonny Batchelor adding the extras.
Thereafter Walcot came into their own as their scrum, with Sam Gapper impressing in the front row, started to dominate the set pieces. Despite an ample supply of possession, their backs were thwarted by some outstanding Avon defence which repelled their attacks until Matt Wedding escaped for an unconverted try to reduce the deficit at half-time.
The third quarter saw a similar pattern emerge with big shifts from Ted Mata and Ashley Hobbs for Walcot who also gave debuts to Jacob Archer, Fletcher Mayer and Raswan. However committed Avon tackling prevented any further tries, restricting their visitors scoring to a solitary penalty.
This seemed to inspire Avon who adjusted their game and started putting several phases together with some close quarter off-loads whilst also threatening out wide. This soon resulted in Xander Davis crashing over the try line after a lineout drive with Batchelor again slotting the conversion. Shortly afterwards Avon put the game to bed as Ben May scored their third try from another powerful forward drive.
Afterwards Avon captain Kane Book said “This was a strong performance with some brutal defence. After shaking off some match-play rustiness, I was pleased with the way that we struck back with scores to close out the game in the red zone.”
On Saturday, Avon start their new campaign with the first team hosting Weston Hornets in the Somerset Premier, whilst the seconds are also at home to Frome. All spectators and any new players welcome.
■ BATH SARACENS’ season also commences on Saturday with a memorial fixture against the Gethin Bevan All Stars. The game kicks off at 2pm at the Lambridge Rugby Ground, with a barbecue afterwards.
They then have a further friendly fixture against Old Edwardians on September 11, before they start their league campaign against Warminster on September 25 at the Sulis Club.
Sarries train every Thursday at 7.30pm at Lambridge and welcome new players of any standard.