Sat 17 Sep 2022
This weekend Pavs welcomed Ilkley RFC in Round 3 of this year’s Regional North East One Competition. The two sides have never met before, so there was an air of anticipation as kick off approached on a sunny and warm Autumn afternoon.
Early contacts seemed to suggest that this would be an even contest. Both sides went close on a number of occasions before a missed Pavs tackle out wide allowed the ball to be moved inside for Ilkley to go in untouched and give them a 7-0 lead. The Pavs set piece was beginning to take control which was not recognised by the official, much to the chagrin of the Pavs faithful, and a factor the proved to have important ramifications as the game unfolded. Late in the half, Pavs worked their way into Ilkley territory and were awarded a series of penalties. Further misinterpretation of the lineout laws by the official engendered a keen sense of frustration in the Pavs players before, from one lineout, Phil Eggleshaw and the pack finally crossed the line to score to narrow the score to 7-5 in Ilkley’s favour at the break.
Following the break, Pavs immediately conceded two penaltIes which handed the momentum back to Ilkley. Very much on the front foot, the away side pushed forward and after another missed tackle broke free to score and confirm their lead at 14-5. Pavs eventually fought their way back into the half. A speculative kick saw youngster Harry Preston collect the ball and make his way to the line before being felled by what the official deemed to be high tackle. Pavs were accordingly awarded a penalty try to get back into the game at 15-12. Going into the last quarter, both sides went for the win. Unfortunately for the home side, the Ilkley centre gathered a loose ball before again evading a Pavs tackle to sprint thirty metres to the line and take Ilkley further in front at 21-12. Pavs fought back well and were again awarded a series of penalties which were well defended. A penalty in the dying minutes was converted by George Billam to close the gap to 21-15 and give Pavs a bonus point, which was how matters finished.
As a true community rugby club Pavs prides itself on encouraging and promoting young players, this being no better demonstrated than the fact that 16 out of today’s 18 man squad had progressed through the Pavs Junior set up. This makes them a tight knit unit that will always strive to get through difficult times together. This weekend they will clearly feel frustrated by poor refereeing of the set piece, disappointed at missing tackles of their own that led to tries,but encouraging we know that they will be back ready and energised for the fray against Alnwick next weekend at The Stump. Onwards……….
Squad – Allen, Wells, Baldry, Flanagan, Eggleshaw, James, Alton-Smith, Reeson, Taylor B, Billam G, Flint, Rimmington, Billam D, Hatton, Molyneux Rep – Collier, Langan, Preston
Pavs MOM (Selected by Ilkley Coach) - James Reeson
“One To Watch Out For ” – Jake Baldry
Nigel Youl
