Avon edged out in thriller
Avon had to settle for two points after a thrilling match against unbeaten league leaders Old Redcliffians 2nds.
The Bristol side just came out on top with a 33-30 win in a pulsating game of end to end rugby which featured nine tries to captivate the large crowd at Hicks Field.
Avon dominated the first quarter through their powerful pack and forceful backs. They opened up an early lead as the versatile Jake Coates sliced through the defence for their first try, converted by Jonny Batchelor.
Shortly afterwards, a wellrehearsed midfield move released Iain Parris who was hauled down just short but quickly recycled ball was moved to the supporting Dan Cousineau who crashed over the try line. Batchelor again added the extras to open up a 14 point lead.
Although reeling from this early onslaught, Old Reds showed a glimpse of their dangerous backline with a sweeping counterattack to score a converted try.
Playing with the advantage of a strong wind, Avon once again increased their intensity, well marshalled by skipper Kane Book. The resulting pressure forced Old Reds start to concede penalties, two of which were converted by Batchelor. This healthy lead was gradually whittled down as the visitors backs produced some lovely moves to add two further tries to reduce the deficit to a single point.
Knowing they needed a more sizeable lead playing with the wind, Avon turned down two penalty attempts and forced 5 metre lineout drives seeking tries. But they were held up over the line by excellent defence. They also regretted lapses in discipline in the first half, suffering three separate yellow cards which resulted in them playing 30 minutes a man short.
Within five minutes of the restart, Old Reds capitalised on a dropped pass on halfway to sprint clear for another converted try to take the lead. This was cancelled out shortly afterwards as committed Avon defence allowed Batchelor to intercept a hurried pass before outpacing the visitors’ chasers to score in the corner.
As the game ebbed and flowed, the Reds centre powered through for another try but Avon were not yet finished. With Liam Ridley making his debut off the bench at hooker, the home side once again launched a series of attacks with Josh Hiscott and Zak Harwood leading the way with powerful surges up field.
Choosing a scrum rather than a penalty in front of the posts, the tactic paid off as flyhalf Coates ghosted through for Avon’s bonus point try and also securing the losing bonus point in the process.
Avon 2nds played Chipping Sodbury 2nds in a friendly, finishing the wrong side of a 30-19 margin.
Skipper Ben Hurd led the way with two tries and a conversion, whilst Paul Bates also weighed in with a try and conversion.
Rhys van den Handel and debutant Oscar Mccormack produced impressive displays up front. Special mention must be made for Avon veteran Mark Kelly who acted as the emergency referee.
Avonvale secured their first victory of the season with a 34-17 victory against a stronger than expected Trowbridge 2nd XV.
It was Trowbridge who came out of the blocks the fastest as they raced into a 10-0 lead through a converted try and a penalty.
Vale got back into the game when winger Elliott Crabbe won the race to touch the ball down under the posts. Unfortunately the conversion was missed.
Vale then scored a try when quick thinking by the flyhalf took him around the side of the ruck to score under the posts. |The conversion gave Vale a 12-10 lead at half time.
Vale relaxed too much at the start of the second half and let Trowbridge in to score another converted try.
Vale attacked again and after some great forward play hooker Jon Keepen ran over to score. Centre Joe Russell converted.
With Trowbridge visibly tiring Vale took advantage running the ball wide and after a string of phases fullback Jake Penrose was on the end of a breathtaking move to score out wide, Russell again converting.
Vale then converted a penalty through Russell which took them two scores clear. With the last play No. 8 Scott Taylor broke through on the halfway and scored Vale,s fifth try and with the added conversion Vale were worthy of their 34-17 victory.