Paviors RFC

Last weekend, Pavs welcomed Ilkeston RFC to The Stump in Round 7 of the Midlands Regional Two competition. Last season’s fixtures saw Ilkeston take both wins, so Pavs were keen to redress matters this time out. Pavs were able to welcome back George Billam, Phil Eggleshaw and Dan Hyams into the squad, adding the required experience in what is a young group.

Pavs began brightly, a particular highlight being Dan Hyams’ bustling fifty metre run in front of the home crowd. On nine minutes, young number 8 Bailey Mayo, lurking out wide, took an Eggleshaw pass before sprinting to the line and with the George Billam extras give Pavs an early 7-0 lead. This galvanised, Ilkeston into action and they scored a well worked try of their own to go 7-5 in thirteen minutes. Five minutes later, Phil Eggleshaw finished off another fine move to take Pavs to 12-5. On twenty one minutes, Ilkeston struck back to level the scores at 12-12. The pattern of tit for tat scoring was thus set! Another two minutes, and speedy Dan Stokes rounded the away side’s defence to give Pavs another lead at 19-12 with more Billam extras. Bailey Mayo went in for his second try two minutes later to give Pavs what appeared to be a reasonably secure lead of 26-12 with Billam’s conversion. No such thing, as Ilkeston struck back with two tries in the next fourteen minutes to bring matters to a very tight 26-24 at the break.

Moving into the second half, Pavs made another bright start. The increasingly influential Eggleshaw added a try himself before back dooring one for Dan Stokes to sprinting in to give Pavs a 38-24 with a Billam conversion.

At this point, full back Dan Flint was invited to take a ten minute break by the official and Ilkeston used this to steal back the momentum with two quick tries to again bring them in touch at 38-36. Owen Taylor was then replaced by student Jacob Playford and Flint restored. Pavs then wrestled back the initiative with a fine thirteen play move, finished off by another of Pavs youngsters in the guise of Finley Moran to bring the score to 43-36 with more than a little tension in the air! With ten minutes to go, Dan Stokes again outpaced the opposition to score before doing the same thing three minutes later. Jayden Wilkinson replaced Thomas Ryan and Stokes himself came off after getting a knock in scoring being replaced by Leo Tang. The last five minutes, saw Pavs 53-36 in front, but aware that Ilkeston had struck back twice during the game. The game ended when Jack Stanford punted the ball off the pitch to a general inward sigh of relief. Final score 53-36 to Pavs.

A wonderfully enjoyable and high scoring affair for the spectators. One really could not want more for action, incident and some very skilful play from both sides. Pavs now have a rest week before travelling to Sutton Coldfield RFC on November 8th. 

Squad

1. Dan Hyams

2. Ben Beeley+

3. Thomas Ryan

4. Phil Eggleshaw (C) (2 tries)+

5. Joe Crossland +

6. Owen Taylor +

7. Matt Molyneux +

8. Bailey Mayo (2 tries)+

9. Jack Stanford+

10. George Billam (4 conv)+

11. Finley Moran (1 try)+

12. Alex Morgan 

13. Dan Stokes (4tries)+

14. Ed Marshall +

15. Dan Flint+

16. Jayden Wilkinson+ (71 mins)

17. Jacob Playford+ (60 mins)

18. Leo Tang (74 mins)

+ Paviors Juniors and Academy

Forward of The Match- Phil Eggleshaw 

Back of The Match-Dan Stokes

Youngster of The Match- Ed Marshall

N.Youl

1st XV Manager