Since the league season wrapped up in the rugby, in late April, there’s been some Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire (NLD) Cup, and Papa Johns Community Cup, action for two of the county’s sides, Paviors, and West Bridgford.
Double success came by the way of Paviors RFC in the NLD (Notts, Lincs and Derbyshire) competitions, their Senior XV would defeat Dronfield in the final of the NLD Cup, 30-26, in a tight game, whilst the Paviors Academy side also won the NLD Colts Plate final, registering a somewhat resounding, 52-12 score.
Paviors starting XV in the NLD Cup final was – Steven Allen (capt), Kieran Wells, Jake Baldry, Theo Collier, Harry Pritchard, Owen Taylor, Joshua Flanagan, Joshua Alton-Smith, Daniel Flint, George Billam, Richard Hatton, Nathan Eggleshaw, Alexander Rimmington, Noah Bhatia, Matt Molyneux
In the NLD Cup success, Paviors registered (in order) through Josh Flanagan, Noah Bhatia, George Billam penalty, for a 15-12 interval lead; the second period saw further scores from Billam’s second penalty, man-of-the-match Bhatia’s second try, Alex Barton try, with George Billam converting two of the four tries adding two his two penalties.
Paviors’ back, Tom Davies, is one of a number of players from the NLD spectrum to be selected to play for the Midlands representative team at the upcoming, Broadstreet Tournament, whilst the club has also announced some new coaches joining their backroom staff in Phil Eggleshaw, as Head Coach, and Jonty Green as his Assistant Coach, the latter having led the Academy to their, recent success.
The clubs’ Director of Rugby, Pat Billam, said of Eggleshaw’s posting: “I am delighted to have Phil as our newly appointed Head Coach and I am looking forward to his valued input at both senior and junior levels.”
Meanwhile, West Bridgford RFC found themselves coming up short and were runners-up in in the Papa Johns Community Cup final, losing 29-22 against Banbury; the Nottinghamshire side were leading the final, at the break.
West’s starting XV for the Community Cup final was – Rhoddy McNaughton, Sam Bignall, Steve Corban, Jasper Allen, Josh Pearson, Ben Berridge, Charlie Ormerod, Xander Purcell, Alex Smit, Calum Gunn (capt), Harry Watts, Jay heath, Edan Kelly, Ben Dickinson, Connor Mee
As with rivals Paviors, West have also had some club representatives as four of the club were involved with the NLD setup, Jasper Allen and Charlie Ormerod on the playing side, alongside Gareth Kerr and Sam Bignall being involved with the coaching.
Speaking of coaches, they have also welcomed a new coach in that of Roy Reeve, he bringing masses of experience to the club, from both codes of the game.
West Head Coach, Gareth Kerr, said of the addition: “We’re really pleased to welcome Roy.
“He’s a fantastic coach and quite some boy, I really enjoyed working with him at NLD where he coached alongside Bignall and myself.
“He will add huge value to over many layers, especially on fine detail and developing players.”
Meanwhile, the lay-out for the 2023/24 season has also began circulation, with the seasons structure in the RFU pyramid, as it affects Nottinghamshire clubs, is as follows –
Championship – Nottingham
Regional 2 Midlands (North) – Mellish, Newark, Paviors, West Bridgford
Counties 1 Midlands East (North) – Mansfield, Southwell
Counties 2 Midlands East (North) – Newark IIs, Nottingham Casuals, Nottingham Moderns
Counties 3 Midlands East (North) – East Retford, Meden Vale, Ollerton, Worksop
Counties 3 Midlands East (Central) – Keyworth, Nottingham Medics, Nottinghamians, Paviors IIs, Southwell, West Bridgford IIs
Twenty clubs from the county will be appearing between level two and level nine in the pyramid, although there is now a sizeable gulf between Nottingham (level two) and those from level six downwards, following relegations last time around.
DERBIES GALORE – What that does mean however is that, next seasons Regional 2 Midlands (North) will see derbies involving that of Mellish, Newark, Paviors, and West Bridgford (level six), whilst in the Counties 3 Midlands East (Central) there’ll be games involving that of Keyworth, Nottingham Medics, Nottinghamians, Paviors IIs, Southwell, and West Bridgford IIs (level nine).
If any rugby clubs across Nottinghamshire want their news and views promoted, please, get in touch with our Senior Correspondent via email at petermann78@hotmail.com
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @Pavsscoreline Paviors Seniors after winning the NLD Cup.
