Sat 12 Oct 2024
This weekend a much changed Pavs squad made the short trip up to table topping Dronfield in round 5 of the Midlands North Regional 2 competition. As with such situations the unavailability of players allows others to stake a claim for a 1st XV shirt. Accordingly, Pavs were able to welcome young prop Archie Hall into the squad for his debut, youngsters Jack Greeley on to the wing, Ollie Anderson to full back as well newly signed Dan Talakai. A couple of old stagers in Conner Tomlinson and Russell Bragg joined the squad late, but as ever were keen to give their best for the cause.
On a rather stormy afternoon, it was Pavs who first played down the substantial slope with the wind at their backs. The squad began in sprightly fashion, moving the ball swiftly through the hands and putting the home side under immense pressure. From one particular movement debutee Dan Talakai sprinted in for his first try from the wing. George Billam added the extras from out wide to put Pavs in front at 7-0. Minutes later Billam added a penalty to give Pavs a 10-0 lead on twelve minutes. Pavs then again conceded a brace of tries in as many minutes, to find themselves 14-10 behind having made a super start. Dronfield added to this on twenty six minutes, to register a strong lead at 21-10. On the half hour, Russell Bragg replaced Conner Tomlinson as Pavs sought to rotate their front row. Pavs continued to press forward going close on a number of occasions before frustratingly going further behind at 28-10 on the half time whistle.
The wind built substantially at the start of the second half as Pavs conceded a penalty to find themselves 31-10 behind. Pavs strategy changed as the weather deteriorated. They kept the ball in hand and eschewed any kick that might be blown back in their faces. They played with high levels of skill as they moved the ball left and right seeking the space that this tactic generally can generate. On forty five minutes, hooker Owen Taylor outpaced the defence to go in at the corner to bring the score to 31-15. Pavs then again succumbed to another brace of tries in as many minutes as Dronfield made good use of the slope and the conditions to go further ahead at 45-15. At this point, Ben Taylor and Conner Tomlinson entered the fray at the expense of Jonty Green and Russell Bragg and minutes later Sam Bradley replaced the quickly improving Kaine Johnson. Dronfield went in for their final try on sixty minutes to record a big lead at 52-15. It is to their immense credit that Pavs continued their attacking, stylish play in the last twenty minutes which the crowd so much enjoyed without conceding another score.
With so many enforced changes this was always going to be tough ask for the eighteen who ventured North. There is no doubt that Pavs are an attacking force, averaging thirty points a game over their last five games, but they will look to improve their rather leaky defence in the weeks ahead. Next weekend welcome Walsall RFC to The Stump with Pavs seeking to improve their league position
Squad
Conner Tomlinson (Rep 28, Ret 60)
Owen Taylor (1 try)
Archie Hall
Tom Gladwin
Kaine Johnson (Rep 60)
Josh Flanagan
Matt Molyneux
Phil Eggleshaw ( C )
Jonty Green (Rep 60)
George Billam (1 pen, 1 conv )
Dan Talakai (1 try)
Harry Kerr
Morgan Jones
Jack Greely
Ollie Anderson
Impacts
Russell Bragg (28,Rep 60)
Sam Bradley (60)
Ben Taylor (60)
Forward of The Match - Archie Hall, Josh Flanagan, Tom Gladwin mentioned is despatches. Awarded to Tom Gladwin played well despite a rampant migraine!!!
Back of The Match - Several contenders but awarded to Morgan Jones
Nigel Youl 1st XV Manager
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