Paviors RFC

Following last week’s directive from the RFU that all games in Midlands Premier were to be postponed due to adverse weather conditions, this weekend Pavs took on Sandbach RFC in the rearranged fixture at The Stump. The home side unfortunately were forced to make a number of changes following the away victory at Peterborough Lions, but were able to welcome back messrs Hall, Hanson, Tipton and Taylor whilst also giving a debut to academy wing Tom “Sonic” Davies. 

From the kick off and against the wind, it was Sandbach who grabbed the ascendancy with good levels of intensity and precision. With Pavs not being able to get hold of the ball, it was really no surprise when the Sandbach wing evaded the defence to touch down and give the away side the lead after four minutes. Pavs began to find their feet in the game and finally began to secure some consistent ball. After twenty four minutes speedster Will Taylor carved his way through the Sandbach defence down the blindside to cross the line and narrow the score 5-7 in favour of Sandbach. On thirty three minutes, impressive flanker James Reeson drove his way through a number of defenders and gave Pavs the lead at 12-7. In the dying moments of the half, Sandbach were awarded a penalty which was duly converted to bring the half time score to 12-10 in Pavs favour. 

At the start of the second half, Pavs again allowed Sandbach to grab the ascendancy. An attack converted by the impressive outside centre put them firmly back in the lead at 17-12.  As Pavs strove to get back into the game with a number of flowing moves, a ball was unfortunately spilt, kicked through and touched down to  further extend  Sandbach’s lead to 22-12  On fifty seven minutes, Sandbach scored their final try of the game to give them a convincing lead at 27-12.  As in the first half, Pavs finally got into the game with some expansive play of their own, before Will Taylor crossed for his second to bring the score to 27-17. Late in the game, Sandbach were awarded two penalties as Pavs tried to play out of their twenty two and go a bonus point fourth try. These were capably converted to give Sandbach the win at 33-17.

Overall, a curate’s egg of a performance (anyone remember Bob Studholme?) To the uninitiated, a performance “good in parts”.   Had Pavs made a more intense start to both halves, the result could have been so different. Having to make so many changes certainly did not help matters, but one most certainly could not fault some full on defence by every member of the squad.

Next weekend, Pavs travel to Sheffield RFC. Onwards ………    

Nigel Youl

1^st xv Manager