The combined Pavark team continued to impress at Paviours in the face of their sternest test of the season so far. An early try for Pavarks, brilliantly converted from way out left may have suggested business as usual. However, Barkers Butt used their forward power to good effect, running in an unconverted try in reply. This proved to be the theme of the day. Pavarks running in from the fringes and the opposition countering through the middle. Turn-over ball was enjoyed by both sides with the opposition proving slightly stronger at the break down. Pavarks showed a dominant scrum, which went strangely unrewarded but through superior pace an support play, Pavarks turned it round with a 24-22 lead.
The next quarter of the match proved to be important to both sides. The sustained pressure from Barkers Butt was repeatedly rebuffed by quite brilliant defence from Pavarks, with a certain try held-up over the line and attackers repeatedly driven back in the tackle. However, the hosts could not get out of the red zone and eventually the dam burst, the try was scored and converted giving the visitors the lead. The final quarter of the match was as thrilling as it was contentious. Pavarks, once again with all the momentum recycled possession and exerted pressure on the visitors until they infringed in front of the posts, just fifteen metres out. However, indiscipline from the struggling defence cost them a further 10. The tap penalty was taken from five metres and Pavarks crashed over to level the score once again. With the regular kicker off with injury, a brave attempt saw the ball pass under the cross bar and the score remained tied.
With four minutes on the clock Pavarks collected the kick and worked their way back up the field with some disciplined phase play. Entering the 22 the confidence was high in the attacking side when play was stopped for an injury to one of the visitors. During the stoppage the whistle was blown for full time leaving Pavarks feeling slightly robbed of the victory but in such a well-contested match a draw seems a fair result.

Written by David Purveur