Returning Paver poised for 300th club appearance
ALAN Paver will take another step towards securing his status as a legend of the Cornish Pirates this month as he prepares to make his 300th appearance for the club.
Currently on 299 games, Paver has completed his enforced four-week club ban following an incident in the RFU Championship against Bristol on New Year's Day, and is back in contention for selection against Sunday's opponents at the Mennaye Field, Doncaster Knights.
The 35-year-old Yorkshireman was recruited from Plymouth Albion by Kevin Moseley during the summer of 2002 and made his league debut in the National Division Two opener at home to Fylde, a comfortable 46-7 win.
Since then he has forged a reputation as one of the best props in England with his scrummaging prowess respected far and wide.
Buy one get one free on main course and specials. Equal prise meal or cheapest free
Terms:
Mon-fri 12-2pm
Wed & Thur 6-9pm
Contact: 01209 700617
Valid until: Friday, May 24 2013
Along with representative honours for Cornwall and Devon he was a key member of the Pirates teams which won the EDF National Trophy in 2007 and the British & Irish Cup in 2010.
Paver also represented the RFU Championship XV against the touring NZ Maoris last November and in September 2011 made his Premiership debut during a brief loan spell at Sandy Park with Exeter Chiefs.
He became the first player for six years to represent all three senior South West clubs when he took the field for the Chiefs against Saracens only for a calf injury to prematurely end his stay at Exeter.
Now in his testimonial year, Paver is concentrating his efforts on helping the Cornish Pirates realise their ambitions of top flight rugby and will become the 65th player in the history of the Pirates to reach the 300-game landmark.
Adrian Bick and Dave Lawrence were the last club men to gain this honour with Jimmy Hosking, Jack Gunn and Rodda Williams the first during the 1955-56 season.
After the game there is a get-together back at the Yacht Inn. Paver has organised a live band, hog roast and an auction starting at 6pm.
Comments