Sat 8 Jan 2022
This weekend Pavs welcomed Newport Salop RFC to Burntstump for the first game in the Midlands Premier League since the Christmas break.
Conditions on the day were far from optimal with heavy rain and a swirling wind. Strangely, this did not seem to affect what turned out to be an excellent game of rugby, much enjoyed by the gathered throngs. From the kick off both sides went at it with vim and vigour. Pavs exerted a good deal of pressure early on, but were held out by well organised and determined defence on behalf of the away side. Chances came and went for both sides until on seventeen minutes, Newport broke through, before scoring between the posts to take a 7-0 lead. This seemed to knock Pavs’ confidence for a period and whilst they continued to push for the equalising score, Newport kept them at bay. On thirty minutes and with Pavs continuing to try and move the ball, determined defence brought about a spilt ball which Newport pounced on and ran in to take a 14-0 lead. Late in the half, Newport again ventured into Pavs’ twenty two before powering over to extend their lead to 21-0 at the break.
Pavs began the second half with renewed confidence, if not a little anger at the way they had let things slip late in the first half. They applied a good period of pressure early on and it was just reward when fly half George Billam found a gap in the drift defence to go in and score and narrow Newport’s lead to 21-5. Annoyingly, from the ensuing kick-off, a lack of concentration saw the ball go loose for Newport’s centre to grab, before powerfully fighting his way to the line and extend Newport’s lead to 28-5. This seemed to galvanise Pavs further, as they fought their way back into the Newport half and then again exert an extended period of pressure. A series of penalties followed, as Pavs fought to get back on terms. On sixty five minutes, diminutive but hugely determined and pacey wing Tom Davies, was able to chip through an advancing defence, before racing to line and touching down and bring the score to 28-10. Pavs continued to push forward and George Billam was again able to ghost over and with the added conversion bring the score to 28-17. The game ended with Pavs very much on the front foot, but rueing their slight lack of confidence that caused them to go behind in the first half. As a young side they are beginning to realise that they can be a match for anybody in this league. They just need to adopt this confident attitude for the full 80 minutes of all games and in so doing full reveal the potential they have.
Next weekend pavs travel over to Nuneaton RFC in the next round of the competition.
Nigel Youl
1st XV Manager.
