Sat 25 Mar 2023
This weekend Pavs welcomed local rivals West Bridgford RFC to The Stump in the final game of the league season in Regional North East One. Both clubs have found the move into the Northern league to be a trial in terms of the distances required and accordingly both teams look forward to rebuilding in Regional Two next season. Nevertheless as local rivals there has always been a certain edge to this game and this was not to change on the day. To add a frisson to the afternoon, a huge crowd gathered, not only formed by sponsors and their families, but by those wishing to be part of the valedictory day for outgoing coach Nathan Eggleshaw and his family.
From the kick off it was clear that both teams were in the mood to entertain one of the largest crowds ever to gather at Burntstump. Early plaudits were shared before number 8 Jim Reeson was forced to leave the field of play following a stinger on top of the stinger he received last week!! (Ouch) Owen Taylor took a slot on the back row as Pavs reorganised. On nine minutes speedster Tom Davies rounded his opposition to give Pavs the lead at 5-0. Pavs pushed further ahead when Davies again completed a fine move to score on twenty six minutes. Whilst Pavs were justifiably in front, Bridgford kept at it and were rewarded with a score on thirty nine minutes. Half time 10-5 in favour of Pavs, with the clear sense that there were more scores in the game.
After the break, Pavs grasped the initiative when, on forty six minutes, prop Jake Baldry battled his way over following a powerful drive to give Pavs a significant lead at 15-5. Front rower Dan Hyams entered the fray on fifty two minutes and used his skills to confirm Pavs’ dominance of the scrummage. On sixty minutes Tom Davies again found space out wide to go in untouched for his hat trick and further extend Pavs lead to 20-5. Sixty three minutes saw the welcomed return of Jonty Green following a long injury period on the touch line, with the incumbent scrum half Dan Flint slipping in on the wing. On seventy one minutes, Owen Taylor powered through the Bridgford defence to sprint in and score, and with the George Billam extras give Pavs an insurmountable lead at 27-5. Minutes later Tom Davies went in for his fourth try of the match, when fielding a Green box kick and evading defenders to slide in between the posts and with the Billam extras give Pavs the lead at 34-5. Bridgford battled back in the dying minutes of the game and were rewarded with a well taken try on seventy seven minutes. Final score 34-10 in favour of Pavs.
So a long and difficult league season comes to an end. There have been huge away trips to such places as Alnwick and Billingham, some excellent home wins and some hefty away defeats. In all of this, the squad have remained stoic and always tried to give of their best. Of equal importance, however, is the spirit of camaraderie that permeates the squad. They are hugely entertaining company and as a group of young men extol the best precepts of rugby such as good humour and the capacity to turn up seek in and week out ready for the fray. In completing this report, one must also make mention of Nathan. He remains a hugely popular and highly regarded in the wider rugby community. In the more than twenty years he has spent at Pavs the 1st XV and the club has progressed massively at all levels. He will be still involved with the Pavs juniors as he takes a rest from the trials and tribulations of coaching. It is truly a massive bonus that brother Phil Eggleshaw will seamlessly slip into Nathan’s seat and no doubt continue to push Pavs forward in similar fashion. Pavs now move into cup competitions, beginning with the visit of Banbury RFC to the The Stump this coming Saturday 1st April in The Papa John’s Cup - anyone for pizza!!
Onwards……
Nigel Youl
Team Manager
Squad - Steve Allen, Kieran Wells, Jake Baldry, Theo Collier, Harry Pritchard, Joe Crossland, Josh Alton-Smith, Jim Reeson, Dan Flint, George Billam, Tom Davies, Ben Taylor, Alex Rimmington, Richard Hatton, Matt Molyneux.
Rep - Owen Taylor(3), Dan Hyams(57), Green J (63)
Back Of The Match - Tom Davies
Forward Of The March - Owen Taylor
