Paviors  52     Wolverhampton  48

This weekend Pavs welcomed Wolverhampton RFC to The Stump in the latest round of the Midlands North 2 competition. The two clubs last met in the early 1980’s, so bit of an unknown for both. Pavs were able to welcome back Kieran Wells and Jared Kelly as well as introduce young Aussie flanker Tom Gladwin from the bench.

On a sultry afternoon at a verdant Burntstump, it was Pavs who took the early initiative when wing Alex Rimmington finished off a sweeping move to give them the lead, with the George Billam extras at 7-0. No one could predict the ensuing events that became a roller coaster of emotion, swinging from to elation to disappointment from one minute to the next. Lock Ben Allen was forced off on nineteen minutes, allowing Tom Gladwin to take his place on the back row. On twenty-three minutes Wolverhampton struck back via a strong forward drive to level the score at 7-7. Pavs scored two more tries in the next eight minutes, with Phil Eggleshaw and Theo Collier touching down, and with George Billam in fine kicking form, giving Pavs the lead at 21-7.  Again Wolverhampton struck back before hooker Kieran Wells finished off a forward drive to bring the score to 28-14 on thirty-six minutes. At this stage Pavs seemed to engage the wrath of the official who repeatedly penalised them at the ruck. As a result Wolverhampton established themselves very much on the front foot and scored two tries in the last four minutes of the half to level the score to 28-28.

After the break, it was Wolverhampton who immediately grabbed control of the game with a direct approach which garnered a number of penalties from the referee. Pavs could hardly get their hands on the ball and as a result, a now energised Wolverhampton scored three tries in nine minutes to give them an emphatic lead at 45-28. So Pavs were seventeen points behind with thirty minutes left to go in the game. This did look insurmountable given the context of what was happening in the pitch. On fifty-four minutes, Kieran Wells’ try and Billam’s now customary conversion began the fight back with Pavs behind at 35-45. After a period of stalemate and on sixth nine minutes wing Dan Flint went in to bring the score to 40-45 in favour of the away side. Wolverhampton then kicked a further penalty to extend their lead to 48-40 with seven minutes left. It was now Pavs who looked the more energised side. Dan Flint touched down again with Pavs now getting the ball and moving it wide to bring Pavs one point behind at 48-47. Finally, on seventy-eight minutes Pavs got their noses in front when a George Billam break was finished off by Dan Flint. A final Billam conversion gave Pavs the winning lead at 52-48. 

This was a game of fifteen tries with two sides playing slightly different but equally effective styles. Wolverhampton will be extremely disappointed at squandering a seventeen point lead as much as Pavs will be disappointed in giving it to them.  It is probably time to whip out the “curate’s egg” metaphor. Pavs were good in parts and exceptional in rowing back from a seventeen point deficit, but they still know that there is much to work on. Assuredly, limiting the penalty count and defence will take some reflecting on during the week. No-one can deny the resilience and temerity that gave them today’s hard fought for victory. Next weekend 23rd September, Pavs travel to Newark RFC for a 3.00pm kick off.

Squad- Dan Hyams, Kieran Wells (2 tries), Theo Collier (1 try), Ben Allen, Aaron Langan, Alistair Plant, Josh Flanagan, Phil Eggleshaw (1 try), Ben Taylor, George Billam (6 Conv.), Dan Flint (3 tries), Doug Billam, Jared Kelly, Alex Rimmington (1 try), Matt Molyneux.

Rep- Tom Gladwin (19 mins), Danny Green (43 mins), Jake Baldry (45 mins).

Back of The Match - George Billam

Forward of The Match - Josh Flanagan