PEWSEY Vale prevailed in the proverbial game of two halves on their trip to Avonvale.

After scoring an early converted try through prop Phil Hobbs, Vale spent the best part of the next 30 minutes defending in their own 22.

They were bashed by a physical Avonvale pack, conceding a high penalty count, and their defence was put to the test by numerous skirmishes towards the whitewash.

It was an arduous first half that took more out of the frustrated home attackers than the determined Pewsey defenders, who valiantly held firm to prevent Avonvale making any inroads on the scoreboard.

Pewsey had clung to a 7-0 lead at the break but upon receiving the restart, the visitors ploughed forward and were rewarded with a James Campbell penalty.

A repeat attack on receipt of the next kick-off had hooker Jeremy Horton over for a try to put Pewsey 15-0 to the good.

The home side responded with a penalty but afterwards it was all Pewsey, running in a further four tries and having another two disallowed.

Centre Ty Lewis had a pick up and go following a tap penalty, then fly-half James Haynes went in unopposed from 30m, selling two dummies on the way. Both tries went unconverted.

A run from deep by lock Mike Paddick saw him offload to flanker Chris Bartley, whose neat pass had replacement wing Chris Hill over for a touchdown.

Bartley finished off the next Pewsey attack with a fine bullocking forward’s try. Both scores were converted by Campbell.