Sat 3 May 2025
Leicester Forest 31 Paviors 43
This weekend Pavs travelled to Leicester Forest in the last 16 of the The Papa Johns Regional Two North Shield. Following last weekend’s comprehensive defeat of Matlock at 66-12 in the second round, Pavs were in confident mood as they made the short journey South.
As things turned out it was the home side who opened the scoring to go 5-0 up on seven minutes. This seemed to galvanise Pavs into action with Phil Eggleshaw touching down two minutes later to be followed by Tom Gladwin doing the same on the fifteen minute mark to give Pavs a 5-12 lead. Leicester Forest levelled things up at 12-12 with twenty-two minutes gone. Pavs then had a period with the ball which gave the Taylor brothers the opportunity to try and outdo each other. First Jack glided past his opposing centre to sprint into score on twenty-six minutes and with the George Billam extras push Pavs in front again at 12-19. Minutes later Will jinked his way through all opposing defenders before doing the same and with more Billam extras give Pavs some clear water at 12-26. Imposing lock Richard Hutchinson took a break to be replaced the effervescent Joe Collingham on thirty-five minutes. Just before the break prop Dan Hyams was yellow
carded, this bringing about the restoration of Hutchinson and the resting of Josh Flanagan as Pavs sorted out the front row following the departure of Hyams. The official signalled the end of the half and a rather frenetic period for Pavs with them 12-26 in front.
Seconds after the break the abrasive Matt Molyneux picked his way through the home defence to score and with the Billam extras give Pavs an emphatic looking lead at 12-33. On forty nine minutes Dan Hyams and Josh Flanagan returned bringing Pavs back to full strength. Things got even better for Pavs as impressive youngster Ed Marshall sprinted in to give Pavs a 12-38 lead. In the next ten minutes Leicester Forest were resurgent scoring two converted tries on fifty-five and sixty-four minutes to bring them back in touch at 26-38.
Hooker Owen Taylor then settled any nerves Pavs may have had with a sharp pick up of a loose ball and sprint to the line to put Pavs 26-43 up. Pavs replaced scrum half Jonty Green following a heavy looking knock to the snoz and brought on another youngster in the guise of Jack Stanford. Leicester Forest scored on the last play to make the score look respectable at 31-43 to Pavs.
So, a hard-fought game and a good win on the road. Next weekend Pavs take the rather longer trip to play the semi-final against Ledbury RFC away.
Squad
1.Dan Hyams
2.Owen Taylor (1 try)
3.Theo Collier (C)
4.Richard Hutchinson
5.Tom Gladwin (1 try)
6.Nick Smith (Rep 65)
7.Josh Flanagan
8.Phil Eggleshaw (1 try)
9.Jonty Green (Rep 70)
10.George Billam (4 conv)
11.Ed Marshall (1 try)
12.Matt Molyneux (1 try)
13.Jack Taylor (1 try)
14.Will Taylor (1 try)
15.Dan Flint
16.Joe Collingham (35,rep 49}
17.Bobby Johnson
18.Ben Kelly
19.Alex Morgan
20.Jacob Playford (65)
21.Jack Stanford (70)
22.Dan Mangham
Forward of The Match - Theo Collier
Back of The Match - Matt Molyneux
Nigel Youl
1st XV Manager
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