Nailsea & Backwell 23pts – Avon 12pts
Nailsea & Backwell RFC welcomed Avon RFC to the West End ground on the weekend.
The game started with both sides testing each other out in the bitingly cold wind and rain, but it was Nailsea who showed the green shoots of early dominance with long periods of time spent in the Avon half.
The pressure Nailsea were putting on the Avon line told when with a series of pick and goes close to the line, Captain Luke Sharp went close and fed the ball back for Prop, Jack McCormick, to crash over (see picture).
Some ten minutes later, Nailsea powered through a scrum 5m out, the ball squirted sideways and with a ‘play on’ from the referee, Outside Half, Rob Baker, deftly flicked the ball up into Centre Cory Love’s hands for him to dot down. Baker then duly added the extras, 12-0.
On the half hour Nailsea’s Number 8, Ryan Barrow, broke from the half way line with a powerful run down the wing. Considering the distance he needed to cover to score no one thought he would make it, but with excellent determination, speed and strength he crashed over in the corner taking the defence with him, 17-0.
Just before half time Avon responded with a converted try of their own when the Outside Half kicked through a ball, which had previously rebounded off a defensive player, for their Number 13 to gather and score to make the half time score 17-7.
The first quarter of the second half remained scoreless with defences on both sides coming to the fore. Then Man of the Match, Scrum Half Joe Reed, who produced an imperious display of tactical kicking, slotted a penalty to move the scoreboard on to 20-7 to Nailsea.
Once again Avon responded with a try. Their Full Back producing a good run closing the scores to 20-12. Just prior to full time, with Nailsea again exerting pressure on the Avon line, Reed slotted another penalty for Nailsea to run out winners at 23-12.
Overall a hard-worked and deserved victory which keeps the Ravens in the hunt at the top of the league.
Nailsea’s next game is in two weeks time on Saturday 17th November against Bristol Harlequins. Kick-Off is at 14.30hrs.
