Paviors RFC

This weekend Pavs travelled across to Stoke on Trent RFC for round three of the Regional 2 Midlands North competition. "Guru" Pat Billam informed me that the last game between the two sides was in 1987 and he should know because he played in it, so an interesting afternoon beckoned.

The weather was absolutely atrocious as kick off approached and then continued so for the whole afternoon. Despite this, both sides entered in the spirit of the day, with exemplary ball handling skills from both XVs as well as some effective tactical kicking when required. As it was, Pavs made the brighter start, with fly half George Billam ghosting in near the posts and adding the conversion on three minutes to take Pavs 7-0 up. In the next twenty minutes, Pavs found themselves penalised out of the game for one reason or another, with more than seven penalties and a yellow card stealing any momentum they had developed. Two converted tries resulted in this period, as the away side struggled to understand exactly how the official was evaluating the breakdown. Score on twenty minutes 14-7. With young flanker Nick Smith restored, Pavs fought their way back into the game, even though they were still a little unsure of what was required of them. Quickly developing lock, Kaine Johnson finished off an impressive passage of play to take the score to 14-12 on twenty six minutes. Pavs continued to fall foul of the official's interpretations of the laws with another yellow when Ben Beeley was sent for a rest. The home side took this opportunity to extend their lead with another converted try to 21-12 at the break.

After the break, Pavs made another bright start. They battled away for the next twenty minutes eventually, earning their reward with a try by Phil Eggleshaw taking the score,  with the Billam extras, to 28-19. Ed Marshall then replaced fellow youngster Finlay Moran on the wing. At this time, Pavs touched the ball down for what  would have been a converted try, only for the official to disallow it because he had blown for a penalty seconds before. One could not fault the squad for feeling somewhat frustrated as this would have narrowed Stoke's lead to two points with ten minutes to go. Inevitably, Stoke then went down the other end with the excellent kicking skills of their fly half adding the conversion to take to them to 35-18 with eight minutes to go. Pavs then received yet another card, when scrum half Jonty Green was invited to leave the pitch, much to the continuing confusion of all. Ed Holmes took over at nine.They were unlucky not to score again as the ball was spilled in crossing the line. Young prop Jayden Wilkinson then joined the play with minutes left.As had been the pattern thus far, the game ran towards the last play, Stoke cleared their lines with a long kick and as Pavs chased back piled over in the corner with yet another well struck conversion bringing the final score to 42-19. 

So a horribly wet and extremely frustrating game for Pavs. The squad at the moment, really are not getting "the rub of the green". They are always in games, but somehow the rugby gods have failed to smile on them. In these circumstances, they can only continue to work hard in training and get out there on a Saturday, confident that their talent will bring its results in due course. Next game Old Saltleians RFC at Burntstump on 4th October.

Squad -

Forward of The Match - Kaine Johnson

Back of The Match - Matt Molyneux 

Youngster of The Match - Nick Smith

"Right Stuff" Award - Ed Marshall and, of course, his dad Howard Marshall. They were in Germany on Friday night, got an early flight on Saturday and drove direct to Stoke from Stansted, getting there minutes before kick off.  No need to say more great work gents! 

Nigel Youl

(1st XV Manager)