Paviors RFC

This weekend Pavs welcomed local rivals Newark RFC to The Stump in round 9 of the Midlands Regional 2 North competition. Pavs were elated to welcome back skipper Doug Billam following a lengthy injury lay off as well an on loan Jake Baldry to the match day squad.

 

Conditions prior to kick off were abysmal. Pitch Curator, Howard Marshall must have had his head in his hands as he was about to witness thirty large gentleman systemically destroy all of his hard work in an afternoon! As the murk and the mire descended, Pavs chose to play against the wind and the slope in the first half, a decision that yours truly always extols! Early contacts led to a kind of midfield stalemate, with both sides putting in the tackles, attacking when they could and kicking when they could not. It was clear that scores would have to be hard fought for, particularly as the surface turned into a gloopy, muddy cream! 

Pavs decided to use their replacements early, accordingly prop Tom Ryan was replaced by Alistair Jeal on thirty two minutes. In the ensuing minutes, neither side was able to get on top with the resultant 0-0 score line at the break.

With Pavs playing towards their gathered faithful in the second half they began grind the Newark pack down. From a series of, appropriate for the conditions, forward drives the home side went in front when the influential Phil Eggleshaw touched down and gave Pavs a 5-0 lead on forty seven minutes. Progress was then  halted when flanker Matt Molyneux was sent for a ten minute rest and this gave Newark a boost of energy as they also then drove forward themselves. With fifty seven minutes on the clock, Bailey Mayo replaced Nick Smith. Minutes later the unlucky Jeal was forced off with a knee injury with Tom Ryan on in his stead. Ten minutes later, Pavs executed a series of punishing scrummages, the final one of which saw Phil Eggleshaw touching down to give Pavs a 10-0 lead. Jake Baldry took a break and Jeal then returned. With five minutes left, Newark made a venture into Pavs half and were awarded and converted a penalty to take the score to 10-3. Jake Baldry returned for the last two minutes before the referee finally signalled full time following an extremely lengthy over time period to give Pavs a very hard fought for victory. One also has to mention, the temerity and unlimited support that youngster Cole Mangham continues to give even though he did not get on, on this occasion. It is just a matter of time before he becomes an irreplaceable force in the squad! Overall, Pavs deserved the win given a powerful forward performance in the second half particularly. 

So, bit of an old school day where pragmatism was the key to success! Open running rugby was impossible in such conditions and it was a pleasure to see Pavs  finally adapt to what is in front of them.  Pavs now travel to Dronfield RFC on Saturday 29th November- all support welcome.