The South Western Conference opened up with what some would consider to be a minor shock with last year’s BYAFA Bowl runners-up being overturned by a Farnham side that looks as it may well fulfil last year’s potential.

Daniel Appleyard the away side’s quarterback recorded the first score with a six yard bootleg. The attempted conversion was easily nullified with a swarming Bristol defense halting it well in the back field. With the game nip and tuck the sides swapped ends for the second quarter with the confident Knights 6 – 0 ahead.

The Aztecs showed all their qualities in the second, when Jack Kelly burst up the middle from distance, spinning out of tackles and bringing the home side onto level terms at 6 – 6. A penalty on the attempted conversion pushed the home side back a further five yards and proved to be their undoing. As the game closed for the half it was finely balanced at 6 – 6 and a mouth watering third and fourth quarters were in prospect.

A ten yard sweep by George Overhill restored the visitors lead, and with the two point conversion again being stopped in the backfield the emerging Knights eased out to a 12 – 6 advantage. The Aztecs, a side that has always prided itself on its teamwork quickly replied with a five yard rumble up the middle from fullback Fianzo Smith and with the conversion again being stopped, both teams had everything to play for at 12 – 12 going into the fourth.

A sixty-five yard reverse from Daniel Conroy, with the entire Bristol defense reacting to the original sweep gave the visitors a six point cushion and with Sebastian Phillips kicking the extra two points the Knights sealed a significant victory.

It looks as if the Knights have built on their success of last year, developing into the competitive side most thought they would become. The Aztecs, having lost a swathe of players from their superb 2006 team were in need of this season opener and will still be in the reckoning at the end of the season.