Sat 11 Sep 2021
This weekend Pavs welcomed Dudley Kingswinford (DKW) in the second round of the Midlands Premier competition. The last time the two sides met was three years ago in the Midlands One Play off final. The game that day was a highly skilled affair that Pavs finally edged. DKW themselves have now been promoted to the Midlands Premier league so another highly entertaining game was in the offing for the very large crowd that gathered Burntstump.
The game began at a relatively frenetic pace, with both sides making inroads in to their respective opponent’s halves. Early on, DKW engaged the referee’s disapproval on a number of occasions, as he sought to establish the approach he required. After ten minutes, and from one these penalties, Pavs kicked into the corner, before utilising a well executed line out to set up a base for a driving maul which flanker Josh hall touched down. Fly half George Billam added the extras to give Pavs a 7-0 lead.
Moving into the last quarter of the half DKW established ascendancy as the Pavs lineout began to creak. Pavs defence, bravely and committedly, held firm against a number of strong attacks, winning a number of penalties only to give up the resulting lineouts. Finally and on the stroke of half time DKW were able to force their way over and bring the scores level at 7-7.
Both sides were keen to make adjustments during the break and second half resumed in the same manner as the first had begun with high energy and commitment from both sides. DKW converted an early penalty to go into the lead at 10-7. The West Midlands side began to wear the Pavs set piece down and further extended their lead from a scrum penalty to 13-7. In open play, Pavs defence continued to hold firm with a number of last ditch tackles, particularly from Pavs Man of the Match and full back Matt Molyneux. On sixty five minutes Pavs moved the ball quickly through their talented backline for wing Alex Barton to squeeze in the corner. Billam G. added the extras, Pavs went back into the lead at 14-13.
The tension in the air was palpable as the last quarter of the game unfolded. As time raced by, Pavs held DKW at bay and with five minutes left on the clock were awarded a kickable penalty which, if scored, would have taken them beyond reach of an opposition penalty reply. Pavs decided to kick for the corner only to be penalised and allow DKW to clear their lines. As the game went into extra time, DKW worked hard to get a winning penalty kick opportunity. They worked their way into the Pavs half. Pavs eschewed the opportunity to clear their own lines before a scrum was awarded to DKW just outside the 22 metre line. Unfortunately, Pavs scrum were not able to hold a converted drive and DKW were awarded a penalty on the last play of the game. This was duly converted much to the glee of DKWs players and supporters. Final score Pavs 14 DKW16,
So Pavs are on the road to rugby recovery. Defence and overall commitment to the cause were excellent throughout. There is a clearly a need for much hard work in other areas over the coming weeks before the standards achieved in their first season in The Midlands Premier League can be matched and then exceeded. Pavs travel to Newport (Salops) next week looking to continue the drive for development and improvement. A challenge that they are more than up for!!! Onwards…………….
Nigel Youl
