Match Report 6 October 2007
Avonvale 1st XV 20 Frome 3rd XV 5
Team Sheet
- Mark Allen
- John Crabbe (Capt)
- Matt Hegerty
- Danny Witts
- James Allard
- Rory Smith
- Joe Vowles
- Mick Fitch
- Jason Russell
- Gareth Neate (VC)
- Adam Brunton
- Steven Bath
- Alex Fereday
- Gary Abbott
- Findlay Davidson
Replacements
Richard Furnival; Simon Harris; Shaun Russell; Steve Hunt; Andrew Ball; Rory Stevens; Louis Cart; Paul Richardson
Scorers
Fereday – 2 tries
Bath – 1 try
Brunton - 1 try
After the disappointment of a late cancellation last weekend, Avonvale were keen to defend their early league lead against second placed Frome. The scars of the previous season ran deep and this was set to be bruising encounter for both teams.
First blood went to Frome as the early onslaught from the experienced pack paid dividends in the first quarter, with a try resulting from some concerted pressure in the Avonvale 22. This was not converted and a quick turnaround from Avonvale, keeping their heads high, took Frome by surprise as the youthful pack refused to be dominated and competed blow for blow to ensure a plentiful supply of ball for their resurgent back line. Compensation for their efforts came around the thirty minute mark with a resourceful try from centre Alex Fereday, after a quick penalty from Jason Russell.
With scores level at halftime, Avonvale bolstered their pack with replacements Shawn Russell in the back row and Andrew Ball, making his season debut, in the front row. Avonvale proceeded to turn on the pressure and were rewarded with a tremendous solo effort from Adam Brunton on the wing; running in a try from just outside his own 22. Frome put up a concerted defence, but faded in the last twenty minutes with the loss of a second prop, reducing the game to uncontested scrums.
The lack of contest in the scrum was replaced with some fiery rivalries in the loose and Avonvale produced some individual brilliance culminating in a perfectly weighted chip from Steven Bath, from just outside the Frome 22, for Fereday to chase and catch cleanly to touch down. Steven Bath then finished off the quartet of Avonvale tries with a score a couple of minutes before the final whistle.
This was a deserved and hard fought victory for Avonvale, justifying their position at the top of the league table.