Sat 2 Oct 2021
This weekend, Pavs travelled to Oundle RFC in Round five of The Midlands Premier Competition following a strong home win against Nuneaton RFC last time out. Pavs were able to welcome back stalwart forwards Ollie Collingham and Josh Hall, whilst also giving even more opportunities to the youngsters in the guise of Jack Taylor and Ewan Laughton. Weather conditions were poor at the start and deteriorated to a full on maelstrom by half time. Not an entirely pleasurable experience for the gathered crowd and I daresay the players as well.
From the kick off, Oundle endeavoured to assume the superiority with a number of powerful drives. Even with the stormy conditions, both sides were able to control their own set piece, with Pavs, perhaps, a little more dominant in the scrummage. Midway through the half, Oundle were able to snaffle a spilt ball before driving to the line to take the lead at 5-0. A penalty quickly followed to the extend this to 8-0 on 25 minutes. Pavs then battled their forward and were awarded a penalty that fly half George Billam dropped into the corner. From the ensuing lineout, Joe Collingham was able to clean up the ball, before powerfully fighting his way through to touch down and narrow the lead to 8-5. Very late in the half, Billam added a penalty to draw the sides level at half time at 8-8.
Strangely, as the conditions worsened, the skills of both sides really came to the fore. Oundle moved the ball wide to score and go back in front at 13-8 before a Billam penalty narrowed the gap to 13-11. Oundle continued to press forward and were awarded with another try to go further in front at 18-11; a lead that looked almost insurmountable given the wind and horizontal rain that drove down the pitch. Characteristically Pavs continued to work hard, and from a well executed backs move, the indominitable Billam squeezed in the corner before striking the conversion through the posts and level the scores at 18-18.
With ten minutes to go, scum half Jonty Green, jinked his way through a gap at the ruck before offloading to Billam who further off loaded to Ollie Collingham, who then touched down between the posts and with Billam adding the conversion gave Pavs the lead for the first time at 25-18. Oundle were not daunted, however, and with minutes left scored to bring the scores to 25-23 in favour of the away side. They were also awarded a penalty in the dying seconds which, from a Pavs perspective, was gratefully missed. As the last play was called Pavs were called upon to put their bodies on the line in defence of a very slender lead. An Oundle knock on brought the game to an end with Pavs securing the points.
A thrilling game of rugby given the horrendous conditions. The only difference between the two sides was the accurate goal kicking of Pavs fly half George Billam. Both sides gave of their very best and it was a shame that one had to go home disappointed. Finally, a large paper hat and an extra creamy bun to anyone who can tell me who the penned the words in the title, in what play, what was the full line and which character said it. Next week Pavs travel away again to Syston RFC.
Nigel Youl
