Paviors RFC

This weekend  Pavs 1^st XV travelled South to Kettering RFC in the latest round of The Midlands Premier competition. On a weirdly hot day for late September, it was Pavs who made the brighter start with several forays to the Kettering line without being able to get over it.  Having weathered the storm, it was Kettering who opened the scoring with two well taken tries to go into the lead at 10-0. Undaunted, Pavs struck back in the twenty ninth minute when wing Alex Barton battled his way across the Kettering line to score with the reliable George Billam adding the extras to narrow  the lead to 10-7. Honours were shared in the closing minutes of the half, but it was clear that this was not going to be the end of the scoring. 

It was again Pavs who made the brighter start to the second half.  Following a fine sweeping movement, Matt Molyneux squeezed in the corner with Billam again adding the extras from the touchline to take Pavs into the lead at 14-10. For a time Pavs looked in charge, particularly when two Kettering players were sinbinned in a seven minute period. Billam extended Pavs lead at 17-10 with a well truck penalty. Pavs then conceded a penalty in the twenty two which Kettering converted to narrow the lead to 17-13. Pavs fought back to re-establish a seven point lead at 20-13 via the boot of Billam on fifty eight minutes. Crucially, Pavs lost abrasive forward Chris Tipton to a heavy contact which seemed to re-energise the home side. Pavs also began to lose a little control at this time. On sixty nine minutes Kettering turned over a scrummage just outside the Pavs twenty two and were able to drive over to draw the scores level at 20-20. On seventy four minutes Pavs conceded another penalty just outside their twenty two which was converted to give Kettering the lead and moments later the victory.

 All in all, a rather frustrating day for the away side. Pavs had periods of dominance in the game which perhaps they did not always make the best use of. The “little” things which contribute so much to wider team success went awry late in the game and this cost Pavs dearly as the clock ran down. At the end of the day these were two very well matched sides and it was a pity either of them had to lose. Pavs will reflect on their shortcomings and with characteristic vim and vigour reset before next week’s home visit of Newport RFC. Onwards ……………..!!!

Nigel Youl 

Team Manager

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