PAVIORS IN TOUCH JUNE 2021

PAVIORS IN TOUCH: JUNE 2021 In preparation for next year’s Centenary, this month, Phil Barton once again shares some memories from his research into the club’s history. On the subjects of books, we review the first novel of a club stalwart. A Cup Final Triumph is remembered, and a ‘younger’ club member selects his best ever Paviors XV. Advance Notice of Annual General Meeting Subject to any restrictions that remain in place following the next phase of the Government’s roadmap scheduled for June 21st the Paviors RFC Limited Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on Monday 12th July 2021 at 7.00 pm in the Clubhouse. The AGM of Paviors Sports Club Limited will take place at the same meeting. Please note that only members of the Club are able to attend and vote at the AGM. Individuals who have not paid their subscriptions in full, or who are not paying their subscriptions on a monthly basis by Direct Debit, are not members of the Club and will not be admitted to the AGM. The agenda and any other relevant documents will be distributed prior to the meeting taking place. Following the meeting the outside bar will be open for members to enjoy a drink and food will also be available. Chris Eggleshaw Secretary June 3rd 2021

02 TOUCH RUGBY TOURNAMENT AT THE STUMP SATURDAY 12 JUNE 02 TOUCH RUGBY TOURNAMENT returns to the Stump on Saturday 12 June. Come along and enjoy putting your skills to work, no matter how old or how young, a current player, returning or a new player or even just for fun. We will have mixed teams for the afternoon. Gates open at 11am, registration will be at 12 noon, come changed and with your own water bottle. The bar and kitchen will be open, the matches are open to anyone aged 14 and over. We look forward to seeing you. Hat Trick of Penalties – Corsairs v Old Paviors The games scheduled for the 20th of December 1958 were an interesting mix, but it was the senior XV fixture versus the Corsairs that grabbed the attention of the Football Post. It was to be played at Gainsford Crescent in Bestwood. Interestingly, there was a Paviors’ connection of sorts with the Corsairs. One-time Old Paviors’ secretary and senior XV player, Jack Rowlston also captained the Corsairs in their inaugural season as the Nottingham 2nd XV in 39-40. The seconds were at Mapperley Plains against Mellish, while the thirds were at Melbourne Road entertained by the Nottingham and District Technical College. The Football Post concentrated on the Old Paviors versus Corsairs match in the hope of something special; they were not disappointed! The Old Paviors side was as follows: Starbuck; Adams, Higginbotham, Buist, Wagg; Harris, Rossin; Bailey, Scorah, Knutton, Whitehead, Coombes, Grace, Rodda and Harrison. The Corsairs were Granger; Hardwick, Buxton, Ward, Rhodes; Hunter, Kieron; Dunn, Atherton, Prudden, Baldock, McMillan, Harlow, Meek, and Mould. The referee was V P Davy; Notts Lincs and Derbyshire. The pitch when compared to others in the locality was in excellent shape and favoured the fast open game that evolved. Most of first half was played out by the home side with just fourteen men (not explained!), but they were a handful and refused to be intimidated. The Corsairs on the other hand were reinforced by some Notts players after their game at Nuneaton was cancelled. The rapid sequence of events that characterised the game began with a penalty awarded to the Corsairs just three minutes into the game. The kick was taken ten yards into their own half. Hunter took the sixty-yard kick where few would have attempted and despite the strong cross winds

hit the upright, but it was one or two feet below the bar. A magnificent effort. A second kicking attempt by Hunter just after a minute’s play went wide. Twice Harrison brilliantly intercepted Corsair handling movements by the same Corsairs’ player and the visitors saved their line only at the last moment. The first of Harrison’s dashes gained over sixty yards before he was finally stopped. The Post continued: “Beating off a Corsairs forward rush (through an interception) the Old Boys struck back with a neat three-quarter movement which led to an offside infringement by the visitors. Higginbotham took the kick forty-five yards from the posts; he placed the ball, ran a few paces and calmly kicked to score, putting his side ahead.” The second Harrison dash a few minutes after the first led to another scrummage offence in the Corsairs’ half and from the position gained, Higginbotham increased the Old Boys’ lead with another decent penalty goal. The Corsairs were nettled by this second reverse and they attacked very strongly, extracting a penalty from a Paviors’ infringement directly in front of the posts; it was taken successfully by Hunter reducing the arrears by three points. In another attack, Hardwick got within a yard of the home line before he was stopped by Adams, but there was an offside infringement that enabled Rossin to kick into touch, so ending the first half with the score standing at 6-3. The second half saw a frustrated Corsairs trying to redress the damage to their score line and again they tried to force the game with attacks. However, the Paviors’ side held off their opponents and Higginbotham in the latter part of second half secured a penalty goal for the home side; the result: Old Paviors 9 Notts Corsairs 3. The Post summed up this interesting game noting that despite the fast, open, and passing game, the line wasn’t crossed by either side; there were no tries. The tackling was low and good on both sides. Also, according to the Post, it was apparent that many of the Corsairs’ attacks were initiated by their full back, Granger. The Post felt that this type of game had been neglected of late. Finally, the Post reporter paid tribute to the “Old Boys, who put up one of their best performances of the term” against a side bolstered by Notts first team players leading to a hat trick of penalties – Good show Paviors! The other Old Paviors’ squads weren’t quite as successful as the seniors. The seconds succumbed to a rampaging Mellish at Mapperley Plains to the tune of 31-0. The thirds were also empty-handed visitors and came away from their game versus the Nottingham and District Technical College at Melbourne Road with a 15-0 score. The updates for the Old Paviors’ sides: TEAM (20/12/1958) GAMES WON DRAWN LOST POINTS + POINTS - 1st XV 18 9 1 8 162 138 2nd XV 16 8 1 7 150 138 3rd XV 12 2 2 8 116 177

The table is worth a look as it suggests in todays’ parlance a mid-table performance, just edging ahead points-wise. As to be expected, the thirds as a development side had less wins in their account. To put the points in context the following week’s (27/12/58) table had Loughborough College with eleven wins, a draw and one loss with +345 points for and -54 points against. Stamford had just three wins, a draw and thirteen defeats with +76 points for and -228 points against. Remember – no league tables then; just an alphabetical list of local sides who had played that weekend! The Football Post also relied on the clubs telephoning the results to their offices. There was often quite a disparity in the number of games actually played; the Lincs Police managed six games, while Loughborough College had played thirteen! To whet the appetite, the next match report will include a full results’ table! Note: Scoring in the 50s was 3 for a try, drop goals were also worth 3 points CUP FINAL SUCCESS Once again Steve Effingham has been having a clear out and has found a selection of Finals programmes which Paviors in Touch will share with its readers over the next few months. The first is from 1986. Apparently, it was a game in which Paviors were always in control of and won the game with tries from Clive Rossin and Tony Louth. If anyone has more memories of this game, please let me know.

CHANCE MEETINGS - A NOVEL BY CHRIS EGGLESHAW I have recently had the pleasure of reading Chris’ first novel ‘Chance Meetings’ and have thoroughly enjoyed it. This is a really good read. The majority of the story is set amidst the industrial strife of the late seventies and the early years of Thatcherism and conveys an intriguing perspective of those troubled years. Only the first and last chapters, which serve as a form of prologue and epilogue, take place in recent times. The story begins with a chance meeting between Clive, a central character, who narrates the entire tale, and Anna an attractive woman with whom he developed an unhealthy obsession some thirty-five years earlier. From this point onwards the story takes us back to January

1979 often referred to as ‘the Winter of our Discontent’ and the Callaghan Government’s futile attempt to control the power of the Trades Unions. It is from this pivotal point in our recent history that the story unfolds as Clive relates the events of that two-year period which were to have such an impact on the rest of his life. Given the subject matter, the book is not without humour, the Chapter headed ‘Dinner at South Kensington’ is particularly amusing. Indeed, the book compares well with similar novels in this genre as our narrator’s obsession steadily builds causing him to inflict pain on others in pursuit of his fixation. Both of the other central characters Anna, the attractive and wealthy focus of Clive’s infatuation and Nick her partner, also reach out to the reader. Nick’s, initially well hidden, ruthless ambition, and his unfeeling attitude towards the woman he professes to love, offer an interesting character study of a different type of obsession, the all- consuming acquisition of wealth and power. Also, the historical aspects of the work deserve a mention too, taking us back to a time of busy, smoke filled pubs in the days before modern technology intruded upon the art of conversation. Thatcher’s election, the Iranian Embassy siege and the first stages of denationalisation and privatisation, all provide us with the historical backdrop in which our characters conflicting aspirations, loves and lives are played out. While the historical context will be familiar to readers of a certain age, younger readers, having read the book, will be eager to research the times in which 'Chance Meetings' progresses. While others no doubt, will find themselves totally immersed in this well-crafted tale of addiction which spans the decades. The end of the story contains a couple of subtle twists although I won’t divulge any of the detail for fear of spoiling the storyline. I can only say I was surprised at some of the outcomes that were ultimately revealed, all of which only added to my overall enjoyment. The book is well written and the author’s voice compelling, channelled as it is through our hapless narrator. I would strongly recommend that you read this novel. Neil Kendrick N.B. The book, priced at £7.99 can be purchased in person from the Bookcase at 50 Main Street Lowdham NG14 7BE or online at the same shop by following the link below. http://www.nottinghambooks.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id= PAVIORS BEST EVER XV This month, former player and First Team Coach, Nathan Eggleshaw picks his best ever Paviors XV. 1.Tom Studholme. Top scrummager and as hard as they come. 2.Luke Majewski. Incredibly skilful for a front row. I was always pleased he was on my team when it got a bit tasty. 3.Anthony Dixon. Silent assassin. Never said a word but tore opposition scrums to bits. 4.Steve Allen. Tough, skilful and a real leader. 5.Nobby Boulton. Last of the old school 's#*t kickers'! 6.Andre Greef. Incredibly fit and strong. Hit like a train.

7. Gareth Briggs. Absolute machine! Would average 20 tackles a game, and he could really play too! 8.Toby Armstrong. Came out of the same mould as Gaz. He was everywhere. 9.Andy Jacques. Great dive pass. Also brilliant in defence. 10.George Billam. Possibly the most naturally gifted player I played with. Makes it look easy. 11.Graham Allott. Very quick. Great finisher. 12.Jim Faulkner. Big and strong in defence, deadly in attack. 13. Doug Billam. Very quick and skilful. Could play anywhere in the backline. 14.Will Taylor. Absolute lightning. Strong in defence too. 15.Jaz Kelly. Another quickie. Great feet too 16.Jonty Green. Could fit in anywhere from 9 to 15. Fantastic understanding of the game. 17.Darren Pottinger. Tough, uncompromising, and great scrummager. Awful chat though! 18.Phil Eggleshaw. He just crept in. Another naturally gifted player. Incredible work rate, on and off the field! PAVIORS CRICKET CLUB For many of us with treasured memories of playing cricket at Burnstump, news of the revival of a cricket team representing the club will bring a smile to many a face. At time of writing, Paviors Cricket Club have played two games, losing their initial game at Caunton but coming out winners against Kinoulton more recently. There have been a couple of good performances with the bat from Nathan Eggleshaw, hitting two consecutive 50’s, taking part in a first wicket stand of 96, with Jim Reeson in the game at Caunton and following this up with a 4-11 bowling performance in that game. George Billam batted and bowled well in both games and the bowling of Doug Billam and Grant Snelling has proved particularly miserly in both games.

Jonty Green’s knock of 42 against Kinoulton proved decisive and wicket keeper Phil Eggleshaw has backed up a couple of decent knocks with the bat (25 and 30) with some tidy wicketkeeping including three catches against Caunton. There are a few more games scheduled for this Summer – so hopefully more information in the future. ANYONE WITH ANY MEMORIES / BEST PAVIORS XV’S/ VIEWS THEY WOULD WISH TO SHARE PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME [email protected] NEIL KENDRICK