PJF win out in the game of two halves

Paulines arrived at the Pightle having won only two of their previous outings in the league this season. The game started and PJF were slow out of the blocks allowing Paulines to control the ball, which they did well. Their main tactic, picking and driving up the middle. PJF when they did get possession often squandered it. Touch kicks didn't find touch and the side wasn't gelling. After about 10 minutes Paulines drew the penalty within kicking distance whch the duly converted. PJF had their best period of the half and for 10 minutes besieged the Paulines line and were unlucky on a couple of occasions as the ball just didn't break for them. After this period Paulines re-established their control and pinned PJF back into their own half. It was only sound defence that prevented Paulines from going over until the 25 minute mark after a number of pick and goes Paulines managed to get over the whitewash out wide. The kick was missed. The rest of the half was more of the same with Paulines pressing right to the end of the half and almost added to their tally of scores in the final minutes of the half which closed out with Paulines having an 8 point lead.

PJF knew they were underperforming and after a few choice words at half time the second half started with a renewed attitude. It was all PJF at the start of the second half and after coming close on a number of occasions it was Jack Kennedy who wriggled over for PJFs first score. The kick was missed. After the restart PJF continued to put Paulines under pressure and after about 25 minutes of the half PJF created some space out wide thanks to some enterprising play from Declan Williams for PJF to go over in the corner. Again the kick was missed. PJF now had their noses in front. PJF's defence was much improved in the second half with the forwards making the hard yards. Alex Wilson was stealing Paulines line out ball and the front five kept them under pressure in the set scrum. Conor Murphy building on the previous game carried well. Paulines continued to play with spirit and it was from an attack that PJF turned the ball over and spun it across the back line. Callum Law strode forward and after handing off his opposite number the pitch opened up and Callum charged from his 22M line to the opponents 10M line. With two men outside Callum pushed a little grubber past the last line of Paulines defence and after a race for the line Declan touched down for the score that sealed the game Pierce added the extra points. From the kick off in the dying minutes Paulines pushed themselves forward and won a penalty in the PJF 22M. Opting to gain a bonus point the last act of the game was a kick at goal which was missed.

Having lost a first half where PJF were off their best the lads had turned things around in the second half to run out deserved 17 - 8 winners. It was an intense attritional encounter that saw PJF suffer a few injuries with both Chase Thomson and Seaghan Davies both having to go off with first half injuries.