AVON 10 CHOSEN HILL FP 20

On a muddy pitch and with fine rain falling, Chosen had first use of the wind element and when, after nine minutes, the home forwards infringed at a ruck near their ten metre line, Chosen’s number ten Andy King landed the long range penalty goal.
Avon’s strong pack were causing Chosen a few problems at the set piece but Chosen’s commitment in defence was typified by prop Dave Revell who time and time again was in the thick of the action making tackle after tackle to halt the home side’s close range attacks.
After twenty five minutes Avon were on the attack near the half way line when Andy King managed to intercept a short pass and he sprinted away to just make the line before the cover caught up with him. His conversion was the final score of the half, giving his side a 10 – 0 lead.
Avon started the second half in confident mood using the following wind to kick to the corners and then try to disrupt the resultant Chosen line outs and after just five minutes of the half their plan worked as Chosen gave away a penalty at a line out and Avon landed the resultant penalty goal.
The match developed into a forward dominated struggle with Avon driving forward from all areas of the pitch but Chosen’s defence held firm and the team commitment was very much evident when, against the general run of play, the Chosen eight managed to shove the home pack off their own put-in to relieve another period of pressure.
On seventy minutes King landed a penalty goal restoring the ten point lead but five minutes later Avon crossed for a converted try to narrow the gap to just three points and set up a grandstand finish.
However, almost immediately from the re-start Chosen hacked on a loose ball into the home twenty-two and centre Anthony Merrick showed great skills and control to dribble the ball over the line and touch down. King converted to seal a victory that moved his team up two places in the table to tenth.
Next week, Chosen are at home to Barts Rugby with a 2.30 kick-off