Sat 22 Jan 2022
This weekend Pavs welcomed Oundle RFC to The Stump in Round 17 of The Midlands Premier Competition. Recent games between the two sides have been close affairs with barely a point to choose between them, so there was a hint of anticipation in the air as both sides took the field.
The weather was warmish and sunny for the time for year, but this belied a pitch that was “claggy” and sticky on the top and wet underneath; not the conditions for entertaining rugby some may say. What followed, however, was a game of huge commitment and no little skill that kept the gathered throngs entertained right to the end. Pavs made a bright start and pinned the away side in their own half for the opening quarter. On fifteen minutes, scrum half Jonty Green spied a gap on the blindside and darted through it to give Pavs a 5-0 lead. This seemed to galvanise Oundle into action and for the next twenty five minutes they made things very uncomfortable for the home side. Only the staunchest defence held them at bay, before they conceded a late penalty to take the half time score to 5-3.
After the break, Pavs were again resurgent. Phil Eggleshaw fought his way over to extend Pavs lead to 10-3 early in the half. On fifty three minutes, and after a fine sweeping move young wing Alex Rimmington sprinted in, in front of the home crowd to take Pavs further in front at 15-3. Straight from the kick off a disappointing lack of concentration, saw the Oundle blind side flanker catch the ball before sprinting to the line almost untouched and bring Oundle back into the game at 15-8. Pavs growing confidence took somewhat of a hit as Oundle continued to push forward. A further converted try followed to level the score at 15-15 with twelve minutes to go. Pavs gathered themselves for one last effort. They moved forward with vim and vigour and from an astute cross field kick by fly half George Billam, talented wing Tom Davies gave Pavs the lead back with ten minutes left. This last phase of the game was as committed as any during the previous seventy minutes. Oundle continued to stream forward and were awarded a sequence of penalties. Thereafter Pavs were themselves awarded a couple of penalties that were not adequately dealt with, before they found themselves camped on their own try line with minutes to go. This period was not for the faint of heart as Oundle pounded the line, whilst Pavs fought them off with brave resilient defence.(perhaps the best period of defence of the whole season. Finally, and much to Pavs relief, Oundle knocked on and the referee signalled the end of the game with Pavs in front at 20-15.
A hard fought for home win. Pavs do not always make life easy for themselves, their coaches and their supporters, but no-one can ever doubt the huge commitment and effort they put in every week. We all look forward to the next instalment of this season ‘s story next weekend when Pavs welcome Syston RFC to The Stump.
Nigel Youl
1st XV Manager
