Paviors RFC

After a cold and snowy week, we travelled the short distance to Southwell where the snow had departed, the weather was warmer than it has been and it was dry. There as a gusty wind across the pitch and long studs were needed but the conditions were better than they could have been. Lots of games over the weekend had been called off.

Paviors played down the slope in the first half and started well, putting Southwell under pressure but it was the home team who had the 1st big chance. They sucked our players in on their right and then shipped the ball out wide left where our defensive line was thin. Their full back kicked through and followed up with a further kick into the in goal area and he was unlucky to knock it on.

Paviors cleared well from the 5m scrum and from the chase and next ruck Southwell gave away a penalty. This was kicked to touch in the opposition half. From the lineout Henry darted through a gap, a pick and go by Nick kept us moving forward and then the ball out to Ayden who linked with the backs and a gap opened up for Cole who ran through to score the first try. Converted by Captain for the day, Owen.

Southwell were back into the game quickly where they again saw an overlap and player mismatch down their left. This time they kept the ball in hand and used the advantage for their full back to score on the left wing. This one wasn’t converted.

The green and reds continued to put Southwell under lots of pressure which led to a number of penalties. Southwell struggled to get our of their half and at one point were tackled into touch by Ayden that also took out Greg the touch judge.

The good territory continued and after a couple of close range front row charges from penalties that didn’t lead to any points, Paviors sensibly took the next penalty opportunity to kick for 3 points. Owen slotted this comfortably to make the score 5-10.

For the last period of the first half the pressure switched as Paviors discipline slipped and a number of penalties were awarded that gave Southwell good field position. Paviors defended well on the line, Southwell missed a kick at the posts and the ball was cleared. But from a further penalty that they took quickly, a try was scored and a really good conversion was kicked to give a half time score of 12-10.

The 2nd half was nerve wracking for supporters from both sides with the scores being so close. The support included Simon Stirland, Paviors club director who came to lend his voice to the crowd and was rewarded with an entertaining game right to the end.

Paviors kept the pressure on for a lot of the half and gained a lot of territory from penalty kicks to touch. Most penalties were for off side calls but one came from a text book jackal by Nick which lead to a “holding on” call. There were also quick breaks by Henry from scrum half and strong charges from Ayden and Nick, but the home side defence tackled well all game. This good defence also nullified the Paviors back line and Paviors were held back from scoring.

The territorial advantage remained with Paviors as Southwell’s forays into the other half were generally coming from long kicks, and the penalties kept getting Pavs back up the pitch. From a penalty close to the line, everyone on the side line was calling for Paviors to kick for 3 points which would have given Paviors a single point advantage. However the team on the pitch made a brave decision to take a tap penalty, especially after 2 in the first half were unsuccessful. This time though it was justified when Harry charged through and scored Paviors 2nd try. This was again converted by Owen.

Paviors continued with the possession and territory and Southwell defended well, but struggled to penetrate the Paviors defence and the game was seen out, the final kick to touch sealing the match to give a final score of 10-17. A great all round team performance and we go on tour next week knowing that we have finals day to go to at the end of the season. As coaches we would have struggled to single out our best player, but Southwell saved us the decision and chose our scrum half, Henry as the player of the match for his control and the metres he gained from his sniping runs.