Match Report: Avon RFC 20 - 17 Nailsea & Backwell
It had to happen at some point but Nailsea & Backwell’s two year unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday to a strong and powerful Avon team.
It wasn’t without controversy, as close games often are, but Avon started the brighter with a series of one out runs rounded off by Second Row Joshua Hiscoff. Jon Batchelor converted to make the score 7-0.
N&B came straight back with some typical wide rugby and after Dom Gordon made hard on the wing, Joe Reed dotted down.
Nailsea were kicking into gear and the Half Backs started to notice the space Avon were giving them. Joe Reed performed a deft chip for Jamie Elswood who appeared to be over or close to the line offloaded but Avon defended superbly to hold the ball up and avoid the score.
Moments later, Elswood and Reed combined to find Joe Collins for a well taken score out wide.
Nailsea knew that as they were playing with the wind they needed to rack up the points and Jack McCormick picked and went from the base of a ruck to make it 7-17 with Elswood converting.
After half time Avon went to basics of scrum and line out and worked a penalty that Jon Batchelor slotted before a scrum score through Oliver Flight.
The score was 15-17 and the next twenty minutes would turn out to be crucial.
Nailsea dominated this period as Avon gave away several penalties in their own 22 and as Joe Collins sailed in for a superbly worked backs move try the referee called it back for a forward pass that left the travelling support dumbstruck.
As the final minutes closed, Avon won a penalty and kicked to the corner, after the maul was well defended a cross field kick by Fly Half Rob Fitch in the last play of the game saw replacement Matt Thresher awarded a controversial try which appeared not to have been grounded.
With the game over, Avon deserved their victory and N&B’s run of 18 league wins (with a cup final win) comes to an end. Coach Tony Hill said, ‘I couldn’t be more proud of the players. They worked incredibly hard, played some great rugby and but for one or two close calls could have snatched it. We accept it, we’ll dust ourselves off, and go again next week at home to Bristol Harlequins and I know the lads will be keen to get out and perform’.
Photo Credit - BobMolePhotoHobbyist
