Paviors RFC

This weekend Pavs welcomed Bromsgrove RFC to Burntstump for the first fixture between the two sides for a number of years. Pavs suffered a number of injuries during the game against Broad Street last week and so fielded a much changed side. As they saying goes, misfortune to some allows others to step forward and put their own mark on the game, so Pavs were still in a positive mindset as kick off approached.   

 On a cold, mirky and wintry afternoon, it was the away side who kicked off. Unfortunately, for Pavs they conceded an immediate penalty, and then shortly after, the opening try of the game to go 8-0 with a similar time on the clock. Pavs then enjoyed a period of pressure, forcing Bromsgrove to commit a number of penalty offences and allowing Pavs to get a foothold in the opposition’s twenty two. Finally, Phil Eggleshaw burst through his opposing centre to touch down under the posts, and with George Billam adding the extras, narrow the score to 8-5 in Bromsgrove’s favour. Minutes after and with Pavs continuing to pressurise the ball, wing Alex Barton was able to break free before racing thirty metres to touch down, and give pavs the lead at 12-8. Minutes later, Bromsgrove narrowed the lead with a well struck penalty to take the score to 12-11. At this stage Bromsgrove, wrestled back the initiative and with minutes left in the half went back into the lead via a well executed backs move at 16-12.

Following the break Pavs began brightly but failed to take advantage of early pressure. Bromsgrove bounced back with pressure of their own and scored three unanswered tries in a vigorous twenty minute period. Try as they might Pavs found it difficult to make headway against a well organised defence, but characteristically stuck at it. With minutes to go, Pavs finally broke down the Bromsgrove defence. Fly half George Billam was able to ghost through a gap to score and bring the score to 35-17 in the away side’s favour.

So a difficult afternoon for the boys against a side who have only lost three games this season. Pavs continue to run the ball from everywhere, sometimes to their own detriment considering the muddy conditions of an increasingly deep English Winter where territory would seem to be a more pragmatic route, but the effort and commitment can never be doubted. Next week Pavs travel to an improving Doncaster Phoenix looking to put together all of the excellent qualities they so often display andin search of points to improve their position in the league.    

Nige Youl

Team Manager