Sat 9 Oct 2021
After two good wins in the last two weeks, Pavs travelled away to Syston RFC this weekend in round six of The Midlands Premier competition. Despite a bright start, Pavs did not seem to have the vim and vigour of the past two encounters. Syston went into the lead with Pavs tackling looking rather dispirited and lack lustre. In no time at all, Syston had pulled out a 17-0 lead with the away side looking strangely off colour. Having said this, Pavs seemed to gather themselves late in the half with the powerful Joe Collingham intercepting a wayward Syston pass before sprinting thirty metres to the line. George Billam added the extras to narrow the Syston lead to 17-7 which was how the half ended.
Pavs made a better start to the second half, however, falling off tackles was to be an increasingly worrying failing as time went on. Syston added a further try to go 24-7 in front before a concerted period of Pavs pressure led to wing Christian Murphy scoring in the corner, with Billam adding the extras to bring the score to 24-14. The Pavs faithful hoped that finally the team had got their collective mojos going, however, the team could not sustain this and Syston scored two quick tries following a sin bin offence. Syston did not look back from this point and with a further sin bin offence hindering any Pavs fight back, extended their lead to 55-14 by the end of the game.
All in all, a disappointing day for Pavs, considering the positive development of the last two games. With so many youngsters and inexperienced players coming into the side as the squad rebuilds, growing pains are to be expected. As normal, Pavs will take time to re-assess before looking forward and preparing for the next game. The collective is always more important than the individual, but every player will undoubtedly want to assess their own performance in the drive for continued improvement. This is a game that Pavs would rather forget, but importantly, also one where clear and essential lessons need to be learned. In this league there is no wriggle room. Every player has to turn up ready for the fray, mentally and physically prepared. Most certainly it is no league for the faint of heart. In effect, you either do or you do not; a fine line that needs careful negotiation if the team is to be confidently successful. Resilience is the key; something Pavs have never been short of!!!
Next weekend, Pavs may be travelling to Matlock RFC in the NLD cup, but this yet to be confirmed. The following weekend 23rdOctober, Pavs return to the league competition and welcome Sandbach RFC to Burntstump. Onwards …..
Nigel Youl
1st XV Manager
