This weekend Pavs welcomed Ilkeston to The Stump in Round 13 of the Midlands Regional 2 competition in what turned out to be a highly entertaining, but ultimately frustrating afternoon for the Pavs faithful.
From the kick off the home side were a little slow into the proceedings, having said that speedy wing Tom Davies gave Pavs the lead on three minutes.
Pavs were still not up to full pace in the ensuing ten minutes which allowed Ilkeston to go in front with two tries, so 5-14 to Ilkeston with thirteen minutes on the clock. This seemed to galvanise Pavs into action, with a number of plays bringing them to Ilkeston’s line for number 8 Phil Eggleshaw to drive over following a dominant scrum bringing the score to 12-14 with the George Billam extras.
Seven minutes later, Ilkeston hit back to go further in front at 12-19 with ten minutes of the half left. Matt Molyneux hit back with a well taken try through the centre to level matters up with the Billam extras at 19-19. As half time beckoned prop Nick Brearley somehow engaged the official’s wrath and disappeared to the bin, at which point the half time whistle sounded. Half time 19-19.
During the break Sam Bradley replaced Kaine Johnson in the row. From a rather squirmy kick off, Pavs failed to field the ball before it went into touch and from
the following lineout, Ilkeston worked their way across the pitch to score in the far corner to retake the lead at 19-26. An almost fully fit again Theo Collier took the open front row slot as the unlucky Sam Bradley was taken off due to the Brearley yellow card only to come on five minutes later as the sin bin penalty elapsed.
Moments later, Pavs worked their way into the Ilkeston half with an increasingly dominant scrummage. This allowed youngster Danny Green to go in at the corner to narrow things up at 24-26. On fifty two minutes and following some fine interplay, scrum half Jonty Green dived in to put Pavs in front for the first time since the third minute at 31-26. Ten minutes later, Ilkeston agains truck back with a converted try, to retake the lead at 31-33. Another ten minutes into game at sixty three minutes, Noah Bhatia replaced Danny Green, before hooker Owen Taylor found space down the blindside to outpace the Ilkeston defence before sliding in and put Pavs back in front at 36-33. Not to be outdone Ilkeston a little controversially scored in the corner and, with the added well struck conversion, got back in front at 36-40.
With seven minutes to play, Pavs went for the win, but unfortunately lost fly half George Billam to the bin for a strange interpretation of the tackle law. Despite this, the home side kept at it but ran out of time and Ilkeston were the eventual winners at 40-36.
This was, in football parlance, a game that neither side deserved to lose. It was, indeed, a game of extremely fine margins (Pavs 6 tries/ 3 Cons, Ilkeston 6 tries/ 5 Cons). Both sides made errors and it was always going to be the side that made the fewest errors that would come out on top. A large Christmas crowd undoubtedly enjoyed a feast of rugby. The away side will delight in their victory whilst the home side will feel a deep sense of frustration but that is the nature of competitive sport. The key is how to move forward from that frustration and learn vital lessons to take into the new year. Pavs now go into the Christmas Break and will review their progress thus far into the season. One would venture to say somewhat of a curate’s egg so far. They will look to establish more consistency in preparation and how they conduct games and so make progress and fulfil the potential they have. On a seasonal note, one would like to wish all of our readers the merriest of Christmas’ and a prosperous and successful New Year.
Next Game – West Bridgford AWAY – 4th January – ko 2.15pm
- Dan Hyams
- Owen Taylor (1 try)
- Nick Brearley (Rep 40)
- Kaine Johnson (Rep 40)
- Tom Gladwin
- Josh Flanagan
- Bailey Mayo
- Phil Eggleshaw (1 try)
- Jonty Green (1 try)
- George Billam (3 conv)
- Tom Davies (1 try)
- Ben Taylor
- Matt Molyneux (1 try)
- Danny Green (1 try)
- Dan Flint
Impacts
- Noah Bhatia (63)
- Sam Bradley (40)
- Theo Collier (43)
Players of the Match – As in other weeks, it would be churlish to select any one individual from what was another truly team performance.
1st XV Manager
