Paviors RFC

This weekend Pavs welcomed West Bridgford RFC to The Stump in the latest round of the Midlands Regional 2 North competition. The early season away fixture saw a rather under strength Pavs squad finish a long way second despite battling hard and scoring 28 points themselves. This time round, Pavs were at pretty much full strength and determined to redress the score and the balance of power. 

As it happens, it was WB who made the more determined start, scoring after five minutes and taking a 0-7 lead. Pavs then grabbed the initiative, and moved the ball to the width for the speedy Luke Snowden to dive in at the corner. George Billam added the conversion from the touchline to level things up at 7-7 with nine minutes gone. On twenty six minutes, mercurial Dan Stokes added a further try and with the Billam extras gave Pavs the lead at 14-7. As Pavs piled on the pressure, talismanic prop Dan Hyams battled over the line to extend Pavs lead to 19-7 on thirty one minutes. Five minutes later, things turned somewhat awry as first prop Tom Ryan was carded, quickly followed by the unlucky Hyams. Pavs tried to see out  the half, bringing on Archie Hall and taking off Luke Snowden to balance the team appropriately. It was not to be, as WB sensibly moved the ball wide and scored to narrow things up to 19-14 at the break. 

Pavs began the second half in determined mood, keeping the ball up the jumper as they waited for the return of their binned players. In fact, Pavs added to their score with a Billam penalty minutes into the second half to bring the score to 22-14 with most of the half to go. Five minutes later WB again found space to bring themselves back in contention at 22-21. Pavs welcomed back Hyams on forty nine minutes as they returned to full strength. In the next ten minutes, Pavs took control of the game. Phil Eggleshaw, battled over on fifty six minutes to put Pavs further in front at 27-21. This was quickly added to when,fit again hooker, Owen Taylor cut through the WB defence to touch down and with more Billam extras give Pavs some breathing space at 34-21 with eighteen minutes to go. The home side then rang the changes with talented youngster Kyle Burney taking over from the rugged Richard Hutchinson and the sparky Jack Stanford replacing Jonty Green at scrum half. With ten minutes to go Tom Ryan returned in the stead of Archie Hall. Moments later the excellent Matt Molyneux finished Pavs scoring - just return for the massive energy he puts into the game week in and week and week out! George Billam added the extras to take the score to 41-21. A little miscommunication led to a further WB try to leave the final score at 41-28 as the official signalled the end of a hugely entertaining affair, fine fare indeed for the gathered faithful at a crowded Burntstump.

An excellent performance from the boys. All 18, played their part. It would be churlish and unfair to eulogise about individual players,  because this was a true team performance. Next weekend  Pavs travel to Old Saltleians RFC near Birmingham, hoping to continue their recent good form.

Squad

1.Dan Hyams (1 try) 

2.Owen Taylor (1 try) *

3.Tom Ryan

4.Richard Hutchinson 

5.Joe Crossland *

6.Nick Smith*

7.Matt Molyneux (1 try) *

8.Phil Eggleshaw (1 try) *

9.Jonty Green *

10.George Billam (4C, 1 pen) *

11.Luke Snowden (1 try) *

12.Doug Billam *

13.Dan Stokes (1 try) *

14.Cole Mangham *

15.Dan Flint *

16.Archie Hall *

17.Jack Stanford *

18.Kyle Burney *

* - Former Pavs Junior or current Academy players. ( 15 out of 18 of today’s squad have come through the Pavs system - a proper community rugby club!)

Nigel Youl

1st XV Manager