This battling win, in the game well-refereed by Phil de Glanville, lifts Avon to 2nd place in Counties 2 Somerset behind runaway leaders Midsomer Norton.

Clevedon fielded a massive pack and understandably adopted a direct game plan with their big forwards achieving a steady supply of possession, allowing their powerful runners to pound the Avon defence. To their credit, the Avon tackling stood up well to the onslaught to frustrate their opponents.

In fact it was Avon who opened the scoring as Rob Fitch slotted a comfortable penalty. With Clevedon pressing through multi-phased attacks, they constantly threatened and eventually delivered a converted try to take the lead. From the restart, the black and ambers responded immediately by identifying the need for quickly recycled ball. They swiftly transferred play to winger Jack Moore who sped down the touchline before cutting infield to link with the supporting Kiddie Sheikh who touched down under the posts. Fitch added the extras.

Twice from 5 metre line outs, Avon’s normally successful drives were negated by Clevedon’s powerful pack who restricted them to another Fitch penalty. Despite admirable defence led by Ian Burnell, Sam Book and the terrier-like Sheikh, Clevedon enjoyed a purple patch either side of half time. Firstly their powerful 2nd row built up a head of steam to charge across the try line to narrow the gap to a single point. Then with the last play of the half, they engineered a good try out wide to retake the lead.

As the second half got underway, Clevedon added their bonus point try as they switched play back to the blind side to create an overlap in the corner. This extended their lead to 24-13 and they were now dominating possession, territory and collisions, leaving Avon staring down the barrel. Yet having weathered another series of thunderous charges, Avon started to show their resilience and were rewarded after a quickly taken tap penalty saw Dan Cousineau cap a man-of-the-match performance to crash over for a try, again converted by Fitch.

Perhaps the deciding factor of the game then followed as the visitors launched further massive attacks. Their centre cut back on a decisive 40 metre run towards the try line only for full back Iain Parris to pull off a magnificent try-saving tackle by the corner flag. This seemed to inspire Avon who continued to put their bodies on the line to repel successive powerful attacks with Xander Hall-Davis also proving an immense presence up front.

As the fourth quarter continued, Avon’s forwards started to exert their own authority with several monstrous scrums to pose the visitors problems. Another sustained period of pressure from Clevedon was halted as Avon turned over their possession, allowing Jake Coates to launch a counter attack down field. Sensing a chance to pull off a famous victory, it was Avon’s turn to dominate the final 5 minutes with a series of thrusts inside the visitors 22.

Eventually, with the clock ticking down, Clevedon conceded a penalty for Avon to kick to the corner in the final minute. Cleanly won line out ball by skipper Kane Book set up the forward drive with the backs joining in the surge to the line. As the defence was sucked in, the irrepressible Sheikh sneaked to the blind side to score the match-winning try with the last move of the game to spark the celebrations.

A few other random thoughts that I couldn't fit into the match narrative above:
- this result brings up 500 points for the season so far
- Sexy is on 12 tries now with Kiddie on 9
- Welcome to Patrick Ridley on an impressive debut
- Rhys charging up the left wing like a galloping gazelle
- hope the glue has stuck on Jack's ripped ear
- Will is a constant threat with his runs in midfield although still longing to return to the back row
- hope Frenchy gets some good news from his MRI scan tomorrow
- Butch and Ellis rescued all balls from going into river
- good to see Julian & Tina (Thresher) still at the match with Matt on his travels in Thailand at present
- likewise many thanks to the regular supporters on the touchline
- well done to Xander for preparing all the post match food for the players
- as ever thanks to Jos for the MoM bubbly and medal - and of course the rolls
- whatever would Fred Kyte have made of the "creche" in the clubhouse afterwards!
- good to see Escher, best wishes for your rehabilitation
- great work Damo, Russ and Jake in preparations for the Centenary