Paviors RFC

Sat 1 Feb 2025

Paviors

62 - 7

(HT 0-0)

Mellish

Paviors

Mellish

This weekend Pavs welcomed historic local rivals Mellish RFC to The Stump in Round 17 of the Midland Regional 2 competition. Pavs were able to welcome back a number of regulars to the starting XV, as well as a returning Joe Collingham after a break from the game. Academy graduate Ed Marshall was given another opportunity to demonstrate his talent in a side that featured seven changes from last week’s home defeat to Dronfield. 

  With coach Phil Eggleshaw’s strong words still ringing in their ears, Pavs made a start full of energy and in front of a large and vociferous crowd, courtesy of former player and coach, Nathan Eggleshaw’s sponsored event (and yes they are brothers before anyone asks) Full back, Dan Flint finished off a fine move on seven minutes and,with the George Billam extras, give Pavs the lead at 7-0. Ten minutes later, Ed Marshall sprinted in for his first 1st XV try, with Billam again adding the extras, to take Pavs further in front at 14-0. Pavs continued to move the ball to the width and found speedy hooker Owen Taylor, lurking on the wing, before outpacing the defence to score, and give Pavs an emphatic lead at 19-0 with eighteen minutes in the clock. Not to be outdone, Mellish struck back on twenty eight minutes with a series of powerful forward drives to narrow the score to 19-7. Moments later, Owen Taylor went in for his second following excellent interplay in the backline to re-establish the gap at 24-7. At the same time, lock Kaine Johnson, was departed with a reoccurrence of a shin injury to be  replaced by Joe Collingham. In his own inimitable way, he almost scored with his first touch after battering his way through a series of would be defenders. In form,Matt Molyneux rounded off the half with another pacey score and to Pavs an insurmountable looking lead of 29-7.

  After the break, Pavs challenge was to maintain the standards of the first half. On fifty five minutes, the irrepressible Morgan Jones was victim of a team yellow and sent for ten minutes break. Two tries followed in the next ten minutes as first Phil Eggleshaw dobbed down following a powerful forward drive and then Dan Flint ran in for his second to give Pavs an emphatic 41-7 lead. Richard Hatton then replaced Ben Taylor, Jones returned from his break and Tom Ryan took over from Joe Collingham after an impressively powerful thirty six minutes. Morgan Jones’ return saw him then score two tries in as many minutes and with more Billam extras take Pavs out of sight at 55-7. In the dying moments, lock Richard Hutchinson, pounced on a loose ball as the Mellish defence dallied and helped himself to a try under the posts; just reward for efforts in the last two weeks. Billam knocked over the conversion to give Pavs the win at 62-7 and their most emphatic for a while.

  Post Christmas, Pavs have played four and won two. Against West Bridgford and Mellish we saw the true Pavs full of energy and commitment. Perhaps the converse could be said of the games against Walsall and Dronfield. When they are free of injury and all available, they are squad that is more than capable of performing at the top of the league and even beyond it. Next weekend Pavs have a break before travelling over to Matlock RFC on 15th February.

Squad

1. Dan Hyams
2. Owen Taylor (2 tries)
3. Theo Collier
4. Richard Hutchinson (1 try)
5. Kaine Johnson (Rep 31)
6. Tom Gladwin
7. Josh Flanagan 
8. Phil Eggleshaw (1 try)
9. Jonty Green
10. George Billam (6 conv)
11. Ed Marshall (1 try)
12. Ben Taylor ( Rep 65)
13. Morgan Jones (2 tries)
14. Matt Molyneux (1 try)
15. Dan Flint (2 tries)

Impacts

1. Richard Hatton (65)
2. Joe Collingham (31, Rep 65)
3. Tom Ryan (65)

Forward of The Match - Owen Taylor 

Back of The Match - Matt Molyneux 

Nigel Youl

1st XV Manager