MATCH REPORT: Paviors 12-41 Lichfield

This weekend Pavs welcomed Lichfield RFC to Burntstump in Round 20 of the Midlands North Regional Two competition.

Pavs have found form of late and have accrued 12 points in the last 3 games including a confidence building 60-5 win against Tamworth last time out. For their part Lichfield are looking to secure promotion and are currently top of the league.

The refreshingly warm weather, firm pitch and large crowd in attendance augured a highly entertaining affair. They were not to be disappointed as both sides contributed to an intriguing afternoon where perhaps  the final score was not really reflective of the skill and commitment showcased on the pitch. 

From the kick-off, both sides displayed plenty of vim and vigour. Lichfield gradually took over field position and despite valiant defence scored in the corner to 5-0 up with nine minutes on the clock. Lichfield kept pushing forward only to be thwarted by strong Pavs tackling. Eventually, Pavs gave up a penalty in front of the posts to go behind 8-0 after nineteen minutes. Pavs then came strongly into the game and minutes later flanker Will  Burrows cut a fine supporting line to take the ball from scrum half Jonty Green to touch down in the corner. George 

Billam’s conversion unluckily struck the post, so 5-8 on twenty one minutes completed and an equal affair. With thirty five minutes on the clock Jake Baldry had a rest and a returning Joe Collingham took his place. Moments later an unlucky ricochet allowed Lichfield to gather the ball and go 5-15 up.  Frustratingly, Pavs then conceded two tries in the last two minutes of the half to go into the break 5-29 down after a huge amount of effort and commitment.

Pavs began the second half re-energised and produced possibly the best twenty minutes of the season. They pressed forward and attacked the Lichfield line time after time only to be repelled by an equally committed defence. Skipper Theo Collier was replaced by Jake Baldry on fifty three minutes before Pavs introduced another talented Academy graduate in the guise of Nick Smith on fifty nine.  A minute later and after continuing Pavs pressure Phil Eggleshaw fought his way over and with Billam extras take the score to 12-29 with just under twenty minutes left. Centre Alex Morgan replaced wing Tom Davies as Pavs kept battling away at the Lichfield line without reward, before against the current run of play Lichfield scored in the corner to extend their lead to  12-34 on seventy three minutes. So frustratingly, Pavs conceded another try on the final play after another period of their own pressure to bring the final score to 12-41 which was not a true reflection of the comparative ability of both sides.

Pavs will, of course, feel a little disappointed in the light of some excellent play at times. Lichfield’s defence was, however, a telling factor in the game so credit to them also.

Finally, we must mention the injuries sustained by flanker Josh Flanagan and centre Ben Taylor last week against Tamworth. Josh sustained an unpleasant eye injury that should only keep out for a couple of weeks whereas BT is to undergo an operation on his knee this week and will be out for a while. Commiserations to both and a big get well soon.

Squad

1. Dan Hyams
2. Owen Taylor
3. Jake Baldry (rep 35, ret 53)
4. Richard Hutchinson 
5. Theo Collier (C)(rep 53)
6. Tom Gladwin
7. Will Burrows ( 1 try)
8. Phil Eggleshaw ( 1 try)
9. Jonty Green
10. George Billam (1 conv) 
11. Ed Marshall
12. Morgan Jones
13. Danny Green
14. Tom Davies (rep 66)
15. Matt Molyneux

Impacts

 16. Joe Collingham (35, rep 59)

 17. Alex Morgan (66)

 18. Nick Smith (59)

Forward of the Match – Will Burrows

Back of the Match – Ed Marshall