PAVS REGISTER BONUS POINT WIN AGAINST LEAGUE RIVALS KETTERING

   Last weekend Pavs welcomed Kettering RFC to Burntstump in the latest round of the Midlands Premier competition. Both sides are in close proximity in terms of league position so the importance of the game was there for all to see. Recent fixtures between the two sides have also had a certain “sporty” quality so the gathered large crowd were expectant of an entertaining affair.

  From the kick off, Kettering controlled the ball and field position, but without opening the scoring. After ten minutes, Pavs secured the ball before moving it to the wing where Bobbie Radliffe made space, before putting Will Taylor away to touch down between the posts. Returned fly half, Alex Garden added the extras to give Pavs the lead at 7-0. Straight from the kick off, Alex Barton secured the ball before evading any would be tacklers to squeeze in at the corner and extend Pavs’ lead to 12-0. As Pavs have learnt, in this league sides do not lay down. After twenty one minutes Kettering staged a comeback, scoring thirteen points in ten minutes to go into the lead at 13-12. On thirty five minutes Will Taylor burst clear to go in for his second try and put Pavs back in the lead at 17-13. As the half drew to a close Kettering again made a comeback scoring and converting to put them back in the lead at 20-17.

   Following the break, and acting on the plans provided by coach Nathan Eggleshaw, Pavs hit the ground running. Three tries in a ten minute period followed  with flanker James Reeson sprinting clear to score and wing Alex Barton scoring his second and third tries. The increasingly impressive Alex Garden added all three conversions to put Pavs into the lead at 38-20. If anyone thought that this was an insurmountable lead they were to be mistaken. Kettering hit back on seventy minutes to narrow the gap at 38-27 and were very much on the front foot. On eighty minutes they went into score again before the referee signalled the end of the game at 38-34 to Pavs.

  All in all, a very competitive affair, full of twists and turns, but highly entertaining for the gathered throngs. Pavs took five points from the game which helped to calm the nerves as the season draws unerringly towards its conclusion. Next week Pavs travel to Newport RFC. Onwards ……………..

Nige Youl

Team Manager