This cements their 3rd place in Counties 2 Somerset before their match against runaway league leaders Midsomer Norton on Saturday.

In an explosive start, Avon scored 4 tries to secure the bonus point inside the first 20 minutes with a blistering display of power, precision and pace. Kiddie Sheikh set the ball rolling from the outset with a sniping run for the first try. This was immediately followed by a try initiated from clean line out ball from Ben May which he then finished off after a powerful forward drive.

Saints responded with some individual forays but were repelled by committed Avon tackling. Then a blindside move from an attacking scrum saw winger Iain Parris streak away for another try. Within minutes, Dan Griffin added the bonus point score as he outpaced the defence after a crunching tackle from Will Bartholomew allowed Sheikh to kick ahead into open space. With 3 conversions from Jonny Batchelor before he was forced off through injury, this gave an imposing 26 nil lead.

After this scoring spree at a point a minute, Avon lost some intensity and focus. A 4 week gap since their last match also revealed signs of rustiness and allowed St Bernadettes to assert themselves. Saints then capitalised as their left winger intercepted a wayward pass deep inside his 22 to run the length of the field to touch down a consolation try.

The half time talk from coach Kai Harwood stressed the need to concentrate on the basics rather than overplaying and trying to force proceedings. This soon paid dividends as Avon tightened up their approach. Man-of-the-match Will Bartholomew scored a scintillating try with a 60 metre mazy run off the back of a scrum inside his own half. Then scrum half Sheikh dummied and side-stepped his way through for his second try. With the flood gates opening, another searing run from Bartholomew created the position for Parris to also add his second try.

Bartholomew almost created another for Matt Thresher which was disallowed for a forward pass. However, Thresher did touch down before the end as he collected a Rob Fitch chip to score under the posts. Taking over the kicking duties, Fitch also slotted 3 conversions to complete the scoring.

One interesting side note – Avon’s version of the “bomb squad” on the bench featured a trio with 115 combined years and 1150 cumulative 1st team appearances in Chris Mutlow, Ian Burnell and Ben Hurd.