Sat 29 Oct 2022
This weekend Pavs welcomed York RUFC to The Stump in Round 8 of the Regional North East One competition. Pavs apparently visited York in the 1970’s, but there is no record of a reciprocal fixture back in Nottingham, so an interesting day for all beckoned.
Within minutes of the kick off crowd favourite Jared Kelly found himself having a ten minute break following, a so called, “professional foul.” York took advantage of this to establish a strong foothold in the game. First, with the resultant penalty and then a well taken try and to bring the score to 8-0 in their favour after fifteen minutes. Pavs struck back on thirty three minutes, when hooker Kieran Wells rounded off a strong forward drive to narrow York’s lead to 8-7 with George Billam’s conversion. Late in the half, York added a further try when fly half Declan Cusack saw space following a penalty and kicked into the corner for the winger to touch down out wide to further extend their lead to 13-7 at the break.
At the start of the second half York were awarded a penalty to go 16-7 ahead. Injuries to lock Aaron Langan and Wing Alex Rimmington saw youngster Will Burrows take the field for his 1st XV debut and a fired up Dan Flint assume his spot on the wing. This seemed to give Pavs a lift and it was no surprise when Flint skilfully jinked his way into score his first try for the 1st XV and narrow York’s lead to 16-12. Unfortunately, minutes later York again went further in front at 21-12 with eighteen minutes left. At this point, Pavs seemed to find the energy and confidence that had been a little lacking up to this point. On seventy seven minutes Jared Kelly found enough space to touch down following excellent build up play to bring the score to 21-17 in favour of York. The last couple of minutes was a fraught affair. Dramatically, in the last few seconds the official announced the last play at a Pavs scrum on halfway. Pavs moved the ball right into the hands of the diminutive, but immensely quick wing Tom Davies. He went round his opponent before chipping forward and over the try line and then diving on the ball and in so doing giving Pavs the win at 22-21.
In effect, Pavs had scored three tries in seventeen minutes to take the plaudits - another example of engineering victory from the jaws of defeat!! A much needed five point bonus win which had seemed rather unlikely at half time, but again one that says so much about this side’s temerity and bloody mindedness. Next week Pavs travel North to Billingham RFC.
Onwards……..!
Squad - Allen, Wells, Baldry, Langan, Flanagan, Taylor O, Reeson, Eggleshaw, Green D, Billam G, Alex Rimmington, Jared Kelly, Billam D, Davies, Molyneux.
Replacements - Burrows (50 mins), Flint (60 mins), Collier (70 mins).
Man of the Match (selected by York) Tom Davies
“One to Watch” Will Burrows
Scorers - Wells try 33 mins,
Billam conversion, Flint try 63 mins, Kelly try 77mins, Davies try 80 mins.
Nigel Youl
Team Manager
