Notts, Lincs & Derby Final
Arnold‘s Paviors took on Dronfield RUFC in the final of the Notts, Lincs and Derbyshire Cup this weekend, May 27.
On a beautifully sunny evening at Kelham Road, Newark it was Pavs who dominated the first fifteen minutes.
Speedy flanker Josh Flanagan finished of a fine sweeping movement and with the George Billam extras gave Pavs the lead at 7-0.
Minutes later highly talented winger and product of the Pavs Academy system danced around his opponent to touch down to give Pavs the lead 12-0.
Billam then converted a penalty to put Pavs further in front at 15-0 however not to be outdone Dronfield fought their way back with two tries of their own to narrow Pavs lead to 15-12 at the break.
After half time, Billam put over a further penalty to extend Pavs lead to 18-12.
Dronfield then finished a period of pressure with a well taken try to put them in the lead at 19-18.
With fifteen minutes left Pavs knew they had to step up to the plate in order to take the game and it was Noah Bhatia who restored the lead.
Noah cleverly intercepted a Dronfield loose pass before winning the race to the line and touching down to give Pavs back the lead at 25-19.
Fellow Pavs Academy graduate Danny Green entered the fray in the centre and gave Pavs a boost in energy and with an immaculate pass enabled Alex Barton to run in and extend Pavs lead to 30-19.
Dronfield threw everything into bringing themselves back into contention and with Phil Eggleshaw leaving the field on a second yellow, Pavs had it all on to maintain the lead.
Dronfield narrowed the lead to 30-26 with minutes left.
Pavs had to defend bravely and were immensely relieved when the official finally signalled the end of the game with them 30-26 in front and the newly crowned NLD cup winners.
Paviors Rugby Club play at Burntstump Hill, Arnold, NG5 8PQ and the club runs over twenty teams.
New players are always welcome – girls, boys, men & women, there is a team for all.
Further information about the club including contact details can be found on http://www.paviorsrfc.co.uk/ .
