Sat 15 Jan 2022
This weekend Pavs travelled away to league rivals Nuneaton RFC in the latest round of the The Midlands Premier competition. Game day was one of those January foggy, icy affairs that does not always encourage running rugby, but both teams ignored this and entered into the spirit of entertainment right from the kick off.
Pavs had much of the early play and made a number of forays into the Nuns twenty two. Disconcertingly for the away side, spirited defence held them at bay, as opportunities to open the scoring came and went. As these things tend to pan out, it was Nun's who then opened the scoring with a powerful drive by their number 8. Pavs continued to push forward and eventually went back into the lead at 7-5 following an expansive move that saw Alex Rimmington go in at the corner. A George Billam pushed Pavs further in front at 10-5. Unfortunately, from the resultant kick off, Pavs failed to gather the ball and Nuns took full advantage by scoring and putting themselves back in the lead at 12-10. The last play of the half saw a melee following which a Nuns’ player was yellow carded for foul play and Pavs flanker Josh Hall dismissed for retaliation; a decision that was to have its effects in the second half.
Despite being down in numbers Pavs continued to push forward. As in the first half, clear scoring opportunities came and went. On seventy minutes, and with the Pavs 14 tiring, Nuns further extended their lead with a well taken try to 19-13. As they had done all game, Pavs kept trying to attack, but it was clear that any turnover would lead to an attacking opportunity for the home side. On the last play of the game, Nuns broke through the centre and scored to bring the final score to 26-13 in their favour.
There were so many good things for Pavs and these far outweigh the negatives. They will rue the missed opportunities, but certainly not the attacking intention and the amount of energy expended. Onwards ……………………….
Next week pavs welcome Oundle RFC to Burntstump.
Nigel Youl
1st XV Manager
