Sat 19 Feb 2022
This weekend Pavs welcomed Scunthorpe RFC to The Stump on a grim day with Storm Eunice still having its effects. There was much discussion whether the game could actually take place due to the extremely wet underfoot conditions, but whilst marginal, it was concluded that one of three pitches at Pavs was in some sense playable.
From the kick off there was a realisation in both sides that it was unwise to try and make progress through the centre of the pitch and accordingly both sides kicked for field position. Pavs made early good progress and were awarded a couple of penalties the second of which fly half George Billam converted to give Pavs a 3-0 lead. For the most of the remaining minutes of the half both sides were rather bogged down in the quagmire like conditions. Late on, Scunthorpe had a period of pressure before scoring and converting to go in front at 7-3 which was how the half finished.
At the start of the second half Scunthorpe stepped up their efforts and put Pavs under immense pressure. After fifty five minutes, however, the Pavs back line executed a fabulous move, given the conditions. Cam Seaton, Jack Taylor and Matt Molyneux all combined to put speedy wing Tom Davies in at that corner to give Pavs the lead back 8-7.
Scunthorpe continued to push for the lead via a number of powerful forward drives. They were rewarded with an “upfront” try to go back in front at 14-8. As the conditions continued to deteriorate, Scunthorpe backs then somehow fought their way through the slime and the sludge to score another late try in the corner to go further in front at 19-8which was how the game ended.
It was such a pity that the adverse weather conditions affected what would have been a highly entertaining affair, with both sides looking for a bit of form as they go into the final six league games of the season. Next week Pavs take a break before travelling to Sheffield RFC on 5th March.
Nigel Youl
1st XV Manager
