Sat 7 Dec 2024
This weekend Pavs welcomed newly promoted Warwickshire club Old Saltleians for the first ever fixture between the two sides in Midlands Regional Two
It was, in fact, a miracle that with Storm Darroch doing its worst the game was able to take place at all. As it was both sides bought into the spirit of the day and produced a high quality and most enjoyable game.
Pavs kicked off in a swirling gale and so began a tight physical affair. With five minutes on the clock Old Salts fought their way over in the corner to take a 5-0 lead. Moments later centre Will Taylor suffered a head injury which brought Kaine Johnson into the fray. The next half an hour saw the game swing this way and that with both sides enjoying good periods of possession. Defences held sway until Pavs narrowed things to 5-3 via a George Billam penalty which was how the half finished.
Strangely, both sides chose to brave the elements during the break, rather than retiring to their respective changing rooms, whilst all and sundry sought respite in the comfort of the clubhouse.
After six minutes of the second half, and following a period of Pavs pressure, hooker Owen Taylor was able excavate his way through Old Salts to touch down and give Pavs the lead at 8-5. On fifty three minutes, fly half George Billam added another penalty to take Pavs 11-5 in front. Stalwart Richard Hutchinson was then replaced by fellow stalwart Nick Brearley following a rib injury on fifty nine minutes. As Pavs continued to have the better of the possession, George Billam added a try on sixty two minutes to extend Pavs lead to 16-5. They last eighteen minutes was rather fraught affair with Josh Flanagan off sorting his lenses out to be replaced by Ben Taylor and then aforesaid Flanagan returning to replaced Owen Taylor whose calf had imploded. With a minute to go Old Salts put together an effective handling movement to score in the corner to narrow things to 16-10 which was how the game ended.
So an important four points for Pavs as the league programme draws into the Christmas break. More importantly, Pavs learned a good deal about themselves in that they had to “dog it out” against a committed Old Salts Most assuredly Pavs will look to this result in those moments when confidence is being tested and take heart in the fact they can come out on top no matter the circumstances. Next weekend, Pavs travel over to Newark to renew their local rivalry.
Squad
1.Dan Hyams
2.Owen Taylor (1 try), Rep 65)
3.Jake Baldry
4.Richard Hutchinson (Rep 59)
5.Josh Flanagan (Rep 63, Ret 70)
6.Matt Molyneux
7.Tom Gladwin
8.Phil Eggleshaw
9.Jonty Green
10.George Billam (1 try, 2p)
11.Tom Davies
12.Morgan Jones
13.Will Taylor (Rep 6)
14.Noah Bhatia
15.Dan Flint
Impacts
16.Kaine Johnson ( 6 )
17.Nick Brearley ( 59)
18.Ben Taylor (63)
Forward of The Match - The whole pack, special mention to Flanners and Tom G.
Back of The Match - The whole backline every man Jack of them !
Nigel Youl
1st XV Manager
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