Paviors RFC

Sat 15 Feb 2025

Matlock

15 - 15

(HT 0-0)

Paviors

Matlock

Paviors

  This weekend Pavs travelled over to Matlock in round 18 of the Regional 2 Midlands North competition. It seems that  year on year the squad travel over to Matlock in the depths of winter, to be welcomed by various amounts of mirk and mire, but this year took the proverbial biscuit on a quagmire of monstrous proportions. To their endless credit both sides put on a game laced with spirit and commitment and no little skill. 

  From the kick off, Pavs made a bright start (if that is the right word given the context). On Six minutes, George Billam opened matters with a well struck penalty to give Pavs a 3-0. As time ticked on it was clear that this was going  to be a war of attrition. Gradually, both sides became unrecognisable as their shirts and themselves became a muddy brown. On twenty one minutes, Matlock battled over following a number of  powerful drives and mauls to go in front at 5-3. A few minutes later Billam was sent to the bin, seemingly more as team penalty as anything else. Matlock added another on thirty minutes to extend their lead to 12-5. At the same time, Pavs Joe Collingham took a break and youngster Jacob Playford took his place. George Billam returned on 38 minutes to see out the rest of the half. 

  At the beginning of the second half, it seemed the conditions had actually deteriorated as if that was possible. The game became stuck in the middle of the pitch as the ball became like a heavy lump of mud that was being juggled around. Having said that, Pavs began to gain some ground via several drives by Tom Gladwin and the rest of the forwards as well as astute kicking by fly half Billam. On sixty one minutes and from one of these kicks, Will Taylor outpaced the defence to slide in and bring Pavs back in touch at 12-8. Ten minutes later, the forwards won the ball upfront and Billam was able to get the ball to Will Taylor who went his second. Billam added the extras to give Pavs the lead at 15-12. Going into the last two minutes, Matlock were awarded a penalty adjacent to the posts. (How the official could see who was doing what is beyond me, but penalty it was) This was converted to bring matters level at 15-15. The last period saw Pavs actually get to play some rugby as they went for the win. Matlock eventually got the ball into touch and to end the game as a competitive, well battled draw. 

  All in all, conditions on the day were as bad as they can be, but both sides bought into the spirit and provided plenty of entertainment of a different kind than we usually see for the bedraggled spectators of both sides. Pavs can be happy with the spirit and commitment they displayed as a squad, but may also feel they were a little unlucky not to come away with all of the points.   Pavs now have another week off before playing Tamworth and Lichfield on consecutive weekends at home beginning Saturday 1st March.

Squad 

1. Nick Brearley 
2. Owen Taylor
3. Theo Collier (C)
4. Richard Hutchinson 
5. Joe Collingham (Rep 30)
6. Tom Gladwin
7. Josh Flanagan 
8. Phil Eggleshaw 
9. Ben Taylor
10. George Billam (1 pen, 1 conv)
11. Leo Tang
12. Matt Molyneux
13. Will Taylor ( 2 tries )
14. Ed Marshall 
15. Dan Flint 

Impacts

16.Jacob Playford (30)

17.Tom Ryan (NU)

18.Ollie Anderson (NU)

Forward of The Match

Tom Gladwin 

Back of The Match

Will Taylor 

Nigel Youl

1st XV Manager