Sobering afternoon for Avon and Combe Down, Oldfield get off mark

Avon had to be content with a four-try bonus point when they suffered a 54-28 drubbing at South Bristol club Imperial in Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset on Saturday 11th October.

Oldfield Old Boys will go here to Burnham-on-Sea on Saturday 18th October, looking for a second successive league win | Photo © Richard Briggs

Having beaten Imperial twice last term, Avon went into the game hoping to reverse their fortunes following two narrow defeats in previous weeks. But they came up against a renewed side in excellent form.

The set pieces were even throughout but Avon could not exert their usual dominance at scrum time.

Imperial’s veteran scrum-half Ross Hickory used all his skill and experience to control the match and opened the scoring after three minutes with a classic show and go from the back of a ruck.

Shortly afterwards, the hosts extended their lead with another try – this following a kick and chase down the right touchline.

Avon seemed out of sorts for most of the match but showed a few glimpses of what they were capable of in attack. Following some good work by Kiddie Sheikh, playing in the unfamiliar full-back position, winger Matt Thresher raced away up the slope from 50 metres for an excellent score.

At this point, with a 12-7 deficit, Avon looked like they might get back in the game with only 10 minutes until half-time and the benefit of the slope to follow.

Then they got hit with a triple whammy. Firstly, they lost back row and their main source of line-out ball, Dan Griffin, to an ankle ligament injury. And then second row Ben Hurd went off with a neck injury. Winger Ian Parris soon followed them off the field after a yellow card for a high tackle.

Imperial took full advantage and ran in two quick tries before half-time and another immediately after the interval.

The home side were playing some good rugby using a potent mixture of hard running lines with a good offload and support game.

Avon were scrambling in defence at times. However, the rearranged side dug in and started taking the game to their hosts.

The visitors’ second try also came from deep. Sheikh combined down the right touchline with Parris to outpace the home defence for the touchdown.

But Imperial added three more tries, leaving Avon’s focus firmly on getting the try bonus point. The next step towards this was achieved after good work from the forwards to suck in the home defence – and an excellent cross kick from Rob Fitch allowed Thresher to dot down for his second try.

Then, playing off a line-out deep in Avon’s own territory, Zak Harwood carried into the Imperial half and, 10 phases later, following some great handling and a surging run by man-of-the-match Ian Burnell, Thresher jinked over wide out for his hat-trick try to secure the bonus point. Fitch slotted his fourth conversion to complete a perfect day from the tee.

Oldfield Old Boys recorded their first victory of the Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset campaign when they saw off guests Keynsham 2nd XV 31-15.

Combe Down lost top spot in Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North in emphatic fashion, being crushed 56-17 at Minety.

The result saw the Down slip into second place, with Minety taking over pole position. The Wiltshire villagers have recorded three-bonus point wins this season and head Combe, who have played one match more, on points difference.

The Down’s 2nd XV were also hammered, 55-3 at home by neighbours Avonvale in Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central.

Jimmy Rees, the Black & Ambers’ head coach, said: “How we respond now is what really matters.

“It was clear we weren’t at the races. But credit where it’s due, we were beaten by two better sides. We need to be better – and that starts with me.

“Despite the results, I want to say a massive well done to everyone who put their bodies on the line for this club. Your effort, attitude and heart are never taken for granted. I massively appreciate it.

“We take it on the chin, we learn from it, and we go again [on Saturday 18th October], simple as that.”

Walcot stayed level with Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South leaders Swanage & Wareham by thumping visitors Melksham 49-26.

Local teams’ results for Saturday 11th October

Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South: Walcot 49 Melksham 26.

Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North: Minety 56 Combe Down 17.

Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset: Imperial 54 Avon 28, Oldfield Old Boys 31 Keynsham 2nd XV 15.

Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Old Sulians 49 Clevedon 2nd XV 12.

Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central: Bath Saracens 0 Salisbury 2nd XV 33, Combe Down 2nd XV 3 Avonvale 55.

Local teams’ fixtures for Saturday 18th October

Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South: Chippenham 2nd XV v Walcot.

Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts North: Combe Down v Supermarine.

Counties 2 Tribute Ale Somerset: Avon v Clevedon, Burnham-on-Sea v Oldfield Old Boys.

Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset North: Bristol Harlequins v Old Sulians.

Counties 3 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts Central: Avonvale v Trowbridge 3rd XV, Frome 2nd XV v Bath Saracens, Warminster v Combe Down 2nd XV.