Sun 13 Nov 2022, 12:00
A re-arranged NLD Cup game saw Ilkeston U15’s come to Burntstump for what turned out to be a very entertaining match, especially for the neutral spectator.
Ilkeston started strongly and crossed the line 1st to take a lead when they found some space for one of their big runners . It was a lead that they would hold for most of the game, but it remained very close throughout. Paviors first try came from a charge through the middle by Nick who proved hard to tackle all day. This kick was converted by Owen.
Paviors 2nd try was a great team effort with the forward pods taking ball into contact close to the Ilkeston try line and recycling well and when the defence was sucked in, the ball was spread to the right wing for Danny to go over in the corner. The kick was a bit far out for the conversion and with Ilkeston having scored another converted try, the scores were 12-14 at half time.
It was a half where Paviors gave away too many penalties, especially at rucks which gave Ilkeston lots of good territory and the Young Match Official who was in charge of the game put the team on a warning for too many infringements. Almost as soon as the 2nd half started and Ollie J had just come on, he gave away another penalty at a ruck and was shown a yellow card for the teams multiple infringements. Very unlucky for him but the team played well during this period and scored another try, this time by Benny who had also just come on playing for the first time since he injured his wrist. The ball was recycled well and pass out to Nick lurking in the back line who drew his man and passed it to Benny who has a fairly simple run to the line.
Paviors had a period with an extra player when an Ilkeston player was shown a yellow card and as the game wore on both sides continued to score with Cole scoring down the left wing with backs and forwards combining well in open play showing how simple rugby can look with good passing and a bit of pace.
The scores were still really tight going into the last few minutes of the match with Pavs struggling to get much territory but then a solo charge through the middle of most of the Ilkeston team leaving them in his wake, Nick made it up the pitch to score under the post. The conversion gave Paviors a 3 point lead with 2 minutes left and they were overjoyed but there was still time for a restart.
Ilkeston got a scrum soon after in the Paviors half and they played sensibly and with passion to make their way up the pitch and suck in defenders to score their own last gasp try to the right of the post to give them the 2 point lead they took into half time. There was time to restart but they soon kicked the ball off the pitch to signal the final whistle and a hard fought victory. Good luck to them in the next round.
Everyone who watched said it was a great game for the spectators. The YMO’s watching mentor even told Sean that he would have paid to watch such an entertaining game. It was also good to see a 16 year old referee deal with such a pressured environment. We have a couple of players starting on a referee journey next week with an Introduction to Refereeing course being held at the club.
Back in the clubhouse the man of the match could have gone to Nick but as he was awarded the Clown of the Day award (for going to Ilkeston in stead of Burntstump), the award was given by the Ilkeston coaches to scrum half Henry. Nent week we move on to playing Market Rasen.
