Paviors RFC

This weekend Pavs travelled to Newport RFC in the latest round of the Midlands Premier Competition. The Shropshire side were one of the favourites for promotion at the beginning of the season and were sure to provide a stiff test for the boys who arrived in the usual positive frame of mind, ready for the fray. 

The game kicked off in cold, but clear weather and the pitch in surprisingly good condition. Pavs controlled the ball well in the opening salvos, but were repelled by a well drilled and committed Newport defence. In the next ten minutes, Pavs unfortunately conceded two penalties which Newport used well to score two tries and take the lead at 12-0. Pavs struck back with an Alex Garden penalty to narrow the lead to 12-3. On twenty five and thirty one minutes Newport scored two more well executed tries to extend their lead to 26-3. It was at this stage that Pavs finally got into the game. Following a sweeping movement in the backs, which brought them close to the Newport line, Phil Eggleshaw powered over, and with Garden’s conversion narrowed the substantial lead to 26-10. Pavs maintained the pressure from the kick off, controlled the ball well and again attacked the Newport line .Fly half Alex Garden ghosted in for the score in the corner, bringing Pavs further into the game at 26-15, which how the half finished.

As with the first half, Newport made the more emphatic start. Three tries on fifty, fifty five and sixty two minutes followed to bring the score to 43-15 in their favour. Coach Nathan Eggleshaw was looking for a reaction from the boys and he could not be more pleased with the resilience displayed in the last quarter of the game. Attack after attack followed, before wing Alex Barton cut a fine line through the centre to touch down between the posts and with the reliable Garden adding the extras bring the score to 43-22. Pavs battled hard for the bonus point, but ran out of time as the referee signalled the end of the game.

All in all, every player put in a real shift and ,if not for periods at the beginning of each half, would have run Newport even closer. All eighteen players gave their all for the cause and one would not want to mention particular players in what was a real team effort. The squad remain a tight knit unit who work hard for each other as well thoroughly enjoy each other’s company. Both of these qualities display the resilience and good natured amiability which has made thempopular with other clubs and supporters. Next week Pavs take on Nuneaton RFC in a much anticipated game at The Burntstump.

Onwards ………………………     

Nige Youl

Team Manager