AVON 20 CHOSEN HILL FP 17

With former international referee Tony Spreadbury taking charge of the match, neither side had cause to complain about the standard of refereeing and as always, he was keen to let the match flow which meant that the spectators witnessed a fast and free flowing game.

Avon, with the wind behind them opened the scoring after just five minutes when they were awarded a penalty fifteen metres out. They opted for a scrum and after it had twice been re-set following powerful shoves, the referee awarded a penalty try that was easily converted.

Five minutes later the home side scored again, this time after a penalty lineout drive from five metres out. The conversion put them fourteen points up and Chosen knew they would have to dig deep to get back into the match.

On fifteen minutes Chosen got their first points on the board when a good break by centre Josh Pettifer ended with flanker Rob Panting taking a well timed pass and racing in from thirty metres for an unconverted try near the corner.

The next score came on the stroke of half time as Avon landed a drop goal to take a twelve point lead into the break.

Chosen started the second half with a concerted attacking effort and when they won a lineout ten metres out they drove over the line for Panting to claim his second try of the afternoon. Outside half Andy King converted to narrow the gap to five points.

Midway through the half Chosen drew level when King hoisted a high up and under kick deep into the Avon half where winger Tom Darby won the ball and made good ground before releasing centre Pettifer who charged over for an unconverted try.

As the match drew to a close both sides went close to scoring but when Chosen conceded a late penalty the Avon kicker made no mistake as he gave his side a narrow victory. The result meant that Avon moved up to sixth place whilst Chosen dropped to seventh place on points difference.