Paviors RFC

This weekend, Pavs travelled over to Melbourne RFC in round 12 of the Midlands Regional 2 competition. The two clubs have regularly played against each other over the past couple of the years and they have always been tight and feisty affairs. Pavs were able to include Miles Dodsworth and Jake Baldry in another very youthful squad.

Unfortunately, Pavs did not get off to the best of starts, when the ball was dropped from the kick off and Melbourne used it well from the ensuing scrum to score and go 7-0 up on two minutes. This put Melbourne firmly on the front foot and, try as they might, Pavs were not quite able to snatch back the initiative and Melbourne scored another try on the seventeenth minute from a mistake at the line-out. They added a third try on twenty five minutes to go 21-0 up. At this point, Pavs began to grow into the game, particularly in the backline.

Full back Dan Flint executed a fine chip and chase, before sliding in to touch down and with the George Billam extras get Pavs on the scoreboard at 21-7, with ten minutes of the half left. This emboldened the away side who went into the break in a positive state of mind. During half time Leo Tang replaced Cole Mangham on the wing. Following the break, Melbourne had their own kick off issues. Pavs were able to regather the ball before facilitating a confident finish by the pacey Miles Dodsworth, to bring them back in touch at 21-14 with the Billam extras.

Three minutes later, Miles Dodsworth outpaced the Melbourne cover to score under the posts and with more Billam extras bring the score level at 21-21. On fifty five minutes Joe Crossland went for a ten minute break. The game ebbed and floed with both sides having their opportunities to put themselves back in front. On sixty two minutes, Melbourne executed a powerful forward drive to score to take the lead at 28-21. Pavs battled back with a good deal of pace and energy, but were held out by an increasingly desperate defence. Steve Allen replaced Tom Ryan on the front row as the game drew to its conclusion. 

All in all, it was impossible to criticise Pavs commitment and energy. Two small errors cost them points at the beginning of the game and despite fighting back, this proved too difficult to overcome. Had they not conceded those early points Pavs may well have won. This is an aspect they will focus on as the approach a home fixture against Stoke RFC this coming Saturday 20th December.

Squad