Avonmouth looked big and strong through the wind blown drizzle as we lined up against them and the initial exchanges were closely contested with both teams running in similar tries, their biggest lad running through us and Harry running through them. At 2-2 it could have gone either way and looked like we might come unstuck as we hung back in the loose letting Avonmouth pick the ball up at will. At one point we were standing two or three meters back watching one of our lads battle against at least four of them. You would have thought that the cold weather would have encouraged them to huddle together. Clearly getting in there, supporting and getting the ball is something that we have to work on. Our set scrum however was very stable and regularly pushed the Avonmouth scrum off their ball.

We turned round at 4-3 up and started to play some good rugby which was just as well as I was now in danger of loosing my voice shouting “pass it” or “get the ball” above the howling wind and driving rain. The set scrum dominated, the line out tap back was excellent and the running strong. Two blind side runs off the base of the scrum gave Finn two tries, three more strong runs from Harry three more for him and tries from Keiran, Alex G and Robert W saw us finish 10-6. An excellent result in the conditions and against a strong well organized opposition.

We then went for a short second game which ended 2-2 (Loius & Harry) during which the heavens opened. At one point I looked to the side lines for subs and saw a bank of drenched subs and parents alike. A special thanks to Robbie and the rest of the boys for sticking at it.

With 6 out of or a total of 12 tries ensured Harry got the prize this week, well done for this game and all the tries that you have scored this season.

John Kidd