Nuns win 60-point thriller !

NUNS WIN 60 POINT THRILLER....

After their 127 - 7 win at hapless South Leicester, the Nuns returned to Liberty Way to take on newly promoted Paviors. The Nottinghamshire side were in 5th place in Midlands 3 Premier – one place above the Nuns. A close encounter was expected and was duly delivered.
On a cloudy, dry and windless afternoon the Nuns wasted no time in getting the scoreboard moving. After 32 seconds they took the lead. Winger Nemani Rayabo fielded a clearance kick, beat a defender, and broke through the full backs tackle to score under the posts. Fly half Rickie Aley made no mistake with the conversion. More was quickly to follow. Inside 3 minutes another kick to touch - seemingly covered by two Pavior defenders took a wicked bounce into the arms of Rayabo who strolled in under the posts for his second try. Aley added the conversion and the Nuns led 14-0.

It wasn’t long before the visitors were on the scoreboard. On five minutes after a penalty kick to the corner and a maul winger Alex Barton burst through tackles to score under the posts. George Billam added the conversion. Another penalty quickly followed and pinned the Nuns in their own 22. Despite losing the line out the visitors benefitted from a favourable bounce and No. 8 Phil Eggleshaw rumbled over for a converted try. Eleven minutes gone and already 4 tries scored - 14-14. With Pavior’s slick handling and powerful running the Nuns defence was being tested. Both Paviors pack and backs easily outweighed the Nuns and they made that advantage pay.

On 27 minutes the visitors went ahead. Going through several handling phases they breached the Nuns defence and George Billam got his second try which was not converted. Both sides continued to play attacking rugby with some robust tackling adding to an entertaining game. As halftime approached the Nuns re took the lead. Nun’s scrum half Tom Smitham got in the clear before being tackled on the 22. Support players advanced the ball before feeding Smitham who side stepped tacklers and had the strength to crash over. Aley added the conversion. However it wasn’t the last score of the half. Back came the visitors with a move that started with the forwards and ended with winger Barton getting over in the corner. The conversion was missed but Paviors led 24-21 at the interval.

The second half started and it was clear the pace and ferocity of the first half could not be maintained. Players were slower to the breakdown and set scrums were taking longer. It was the Nuns who were having to dig deep in defence as they matched all that the visitors could throw at them. Fourteen minutes into the half and Nuns centre Moses Liwaliwa left his mark on the game. Leading the Nuns in the first half with some robust tackling he turned his attention to attacking and made his way deep into Paviors 22 where the forwards took over and lock Tom Cheney forced his way over. Aley added the conversion and the Nuns led 28-24.

Such was the combative nature and evenness of this game you felt whoever scored the last points of the game would win. The Nuns were under pressure and their defence was being tested but holding up well. The game was slowing down with frequent injury stoppages as the early pace took its toll. The Nuns continued to be pressured and were finding it difficult to clear their lines. With 5 minutes to go Paviors finally broke through. Strong running and swift handling by the backs created an opening and centre Tom Whinning crashed over for what Paviors thought was the “winning” score. The conversion was missed and with little time left the Nuns re started the game. Immediately the Nuns won a penalty centre field 40+ metres from the posts. The reliable cultured left boot of Rickie Aley was called upon to take the shot at goal. With a slight breeze behind him he stroked the ball over for the match winning score. Euphoria for the home supporters and disappointment for all the visitors.

In a game in which the lead changed 6 times this was a good advertisement for Level 5 rugby, played in the right spirit and for all Nuns supporters the right result.

Team:
Ben Holmes, Reece Harris, Ben Spokes, Liam Hucknall, Tom Cheney, George Wallis, Rob Turner, James Lloyd, Tom Smitham, Rickie Aley, Nemani Rayabo, Moses Liwaliwa, Adam Huxford, Jackson Hughes, Ben Cooper (capt).

Bench:
James Redman, Arron Skryme, Richard Johnston.

Scorers:
Tries: Rayabo (2), Smitham and Cheney
Conversions: Aley (4)
Penalties: Aley.

Bob Hansford
@nker radio 1386am & Online