Western Counties North

North Bristol 10 Avon 15

A GAME that started out with such promise ended in total disappointment for North Bristol as Avon snatched a dramatic late win.

North Bristol had the perfect start when after just two minutes when a great break by fly-half Dan Snow saw him race up field to find Alex Featherstone in support, who claimed the try. Snow just missed the conversion but it was 5-0.

Avon had the first use of the influential breeze and scored their first points in the game with a penalty after 12 minutes.

North Bristol looked bright during the first half where Ross Wilson stood out and skipper Chris Underwood battled hard.

In the backs, Andre Samura charged strongly and Mike Ogbeta looked sharp every time the ball or an opponent got near him.

A powerful break from Mark Sterry saw Carl Smith into space but the attack was thwarted by a forward pass after 19 minutes.

Avon then began to gain a foothold in North’s 22 and after some close range drives they crashed over for a converted try to lead 10-5.

They almost scored again soon after but a despairing Samura tackle pulled their runner down inches from the line.

With the half nearing its end Snow had a chance to close the gap with a three-pointer but the kick missed its target.

With the wind at their back North Bristol dominated territory, if not possession, but were unable to trouble the scoreboard.

A Snow penalty miss after 49 minutes saw a chance go begging and North Bristol continued to spurn some good attacking platforms with errors at crucial times.

With the match seemingly grinding to a halt, Ogbeta charged down and collected a kick from five metres to dive into the corner for a try to level things up at 10-10. Snow was just wide with the conversion but with five minutes left both sides had a chance to snatch the win.

North Bristol went looking for the win but in the 80th minute an inside pass was intercepted and Avon raced 60 metres for the game clinching try.

North Bristol scorers: Tries - Alex Featherstone, Mike Ogbeta.

North Bristol thirds lost 17-12 to Bristol Saracens thirds in a friendly.

Chris Gransden and Ben Sargeant scored North's tries with Matt Hazzard kicking one conversion.