MATCH REPORT: Wells 28 Avon 6
Wells reached their highest position in the RFU pyramid as they put former Somerset Premier rivals Avon to the sword with 25 unanswered second-half points.
The victory over the team promoted alongside them as champions in 2011-12 lifted Wells to second place in Western Counties North with six matches remaining.
Wells suffered their last home defeat at the hands of Avon in the corresponding fixture last season but had to switch Saturday's contest to Haybridge due to a waterlogged pitch at their usual Portway ground.
With the wind at their backs, Avon edged the first half. Their strong pack dominated possession for long periods and enabled them to gain a slight advantage of two penalties to one by Wells' Aaron Cook.
The hosts also lost the services of hooker Ash Hill with an injured arm, which gave powerful former colt Tom White the chance to prove what a valuable player he is.
They also had to field Matt McRae, normally a flanker, as an emergency centre. However, with the support of the experienced Alex Knight and Cook, he did not look out of place.
Coach Peter Kennedy's half-time words again worked a treat as - not for the first time this season - Wells came out for the second period like racehorses from the stalls.
Within two minutes a Cook penalty drew them level and then sustained pressure on the Avon line saw Rob Wiseman dive over for a try.
Cook added a further penalty before scoring a trademark try, jinking and dummying he way through before touching down under the posts for try. He added the conversion himself.
The Wells pack was now completely on top and Avon were forced onto the back foot time and again.
With 15 minutes left, scrum-half Jake Knight stole away from a ruck to touch down for his fourth try of the season and Cook again added the extra two points.
The final whistle came too soon for Wells to add the fourth try and a bonus point, with many spectators and players believing that there were at least five minutes remaining. However, there was time for another of Wells' promising group of Colts, Alex Thompson, to make his senior debut.
A well-attended pre-match lunch was sponsored by club president Alan Goymer and saw supporters and sponsors enjoying and excellent meal of fish and chips, prepared by Graham Laws.
