Paviors RFC

Last weekend Pavs welcomed Old Saltleians RFC to Burntstump in round four of the Regional 2 Midlands North Competition. Pavs won both of last season’s games, but they were aware that the Birmingham club had a good start to the season and were very competitive in every game they had played. Pavs were able to welcome back Joe Crossland, Dan Flint, Dan Hyams and Richard Hutchinson into the squad which allowed the abrasive Matt Molyneux to return to his role at open side. Pavs continued to give talented youngsters Finlay Moran, Ed Marshall and Cole Mangham opportunities to shine.

With Storm Amy blowing a hoolie, Pavs kicked off with the wind at their backs and with the slight slope. Two minutes in, fly half George Billam opened the scoring with a well struck long distance penalty to take Pavs 3-0 up. Four minutes later, he did exactly the same to give Pavs a 6-0 lead. On eight minutes, Pavs moved the ball through the back line, for speedster Dan Stokes to cross the line for his first senior try at the club. Billam added the extras to take the home side further in front at 11-0. More was to come on thirteen minutes when Pavs found some space out wide for youngster Finlay Moran to dive in, also for his first senior try. More Billam extra took Pavs 20-0 up with under a quarter of the game gone. Unfortunately, Joe Crossland found himself in the bin on fourteen minutes. Pavs still made the most of the momentum they had grabbed as Moran went in for his second try to give them an impressive lead of 25-0 on twenty one minutes. In form Kaine Johnson was given a break late in the half as the experienced fit again Richard Hutchinson entered the fray. Pavs continued to push for more scores, but stoic Old Salts defence kept them out. Half time 25-0. An excellent first half from Pavs, but there was a sense that with the conditions now in their favour, Old Salts could fight back.

At the beginning Old Salts made a determined effort to redress the balance. Youngster Nick Smith was asked to take a break by the official on fifty minutes and Old Salts made the best of the extra player to score two converted tries on fifty five and sixty minutes and in so doing bring themselves back it touch at 25-14. Tom Ryan replaced skipper Theo Collier with sixty four minutes gone. Old Salts kept at it with numerous powerful forward drives with finally gave their backs the opportunity to score and with the conversion bring them back in touch at 25-21. Kaine Johnson replaced Joe Crossland and Cole Mangham replaced Alex Morgan as the game entered its last phase. The last ten minutes was a fraught affair with Old Salts battling for the win and with Pavs battling to keep them out. It was certainly a relief when the official blew the whistle for full time.

Pavs certainly have not had the rub of the green in the opening games of the season, but it is great to see the boys stick at it. The squad travel to Walsall next weekend looking to back up a great performance. Onwards …..!

Squad -

1. Dan Hyams

2. Ben Beeley

3. Theo Collier (Rep 60 mins)

4. Joe Crossland (Rep 65 mins)

5. Kaine Johnson (Rep 32,Ret 65)

6. Nick Smith

7. Matt Molyneux 

8. Phil Eggleshaw 

9. Jonty Green

10. George Billam (2 pens, 2 conv)

11. Finlay Moran (2 tries)

12. Alex Morgan (Rep 70 mins)

13. Dan Stokes (1 try)

14. Ed Marshall

15. Dan Flint

16. Richard Hutchinson (32 mins)

17. Cole Mangham (70 mins)

18. Tom Ryan (65 mins)

Forward of The Match - Phil Eggleshaw 

Back of The Match - Dan Flint 

Youngster of The Match - Finlay Moran

Nigel Youl

1st XV Manager