Sat 11 Mar 2023, 15:00
This weekend Pavs made their fifth long away trip in eight weeks with a 220 mile round trip up to second placed Driffield RFC and back. Following an excellent home victory last week against Doncaster Phoenix RFC, Pavs travelled to Driffield with a much changed side due to injury and unavailability, but were still hopeful that they could at least get something out of the game. Unfortunately, as Scottish poet Robert Burns judiciously observed “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men, gang aft a-gley.”
Pavs made a bright start to the game with lots of vim and vigour. They controlled the ball well and denied Driffield possession. On eight minutes, however, the home side displayed their strong running skills to break through Pavs defence to take themselves up 7-0. Pavs continued to play their wide spacey game, but were punished when Driffield turned the ball over and powered their way to the Pavs line. As a result tries followed. Half time, in a weirdly long forty eight minute half, 57-0 to Driffield, but with Pavs still displaying stoic defence and playing attractive rugby when they did get the ball.
At the start of the second half, Pavs again looked bright and breezy with neat passing and good skill. The problem that developed was the home side powering forward with strong and penetrating runs before offloading to on coming runners- always a difficult style to neutralise. Driffield scored a number of tries in the third quarter of the game, before Pavs lost skipper Doug Billam to injury and wing Alex Rimmington to the bin. As a result the final quarter was a difficult watch for the Pavs supporters. Pavs did, in fact, have the last say when they were able to break through before a fine passing movement saw Richard Hatton touch down and George Billam add the extras from out wide.
All in all, a day when eight weeks of continuous rugby with five long away games clearly took its toll. It was great to see the boys remain “game” throughout the entire eighty minutes and most certainly there was no lack of effort. Driffield played high level rugby in a style that Pavs would seek to emulate. Strange as it may seem, there are still many positives to take from the game in terms of the commitment the boys displayed and the “never say die” attitude. As they say “just a bridge too far” for the squad. Pavs now need to recover and reconvene before next week’s crucial fixture away (again!!) at Scunthorpe RFC. Onwards…………!!!!
Nigel Youl
Team Manager
Squad - Allen, Wells, Baldry, Collier, Pritchard, Alton-Smith, Taylor O, Reeson, Flint, Billam G, Rimmington, Billam D (inj 55mins), Green D, Hatton, Molyneux.
Rep - Wilson J (60 mins), Ryan (55 mins)
MOM 1 (selected by Driffield) Richard Hatton
MOM 2 (selected by Pavs) Josh Alton-Smith
