Over zealous brandishing of yellow cards spoilt what would have been a cracking game at Rossendale. Ironically it was a match played throughout in a good spirit with both sides intent on fast open rugby. Almost certainly it would have been a tight contest between two sides which before the rash of the yellow carding looked to be evenly matched and both up for the win.
Beverley RUFC took the lead after only two minutes with a Jamie Gill penalty before Rossendale had laid a hand on the ball. With Phil Duboulay back from injury and Junior Tupai restored to inside centre there was a snap and crispness about the Beverley RUFC backplay which had been missing for the last few games. With plenty of quick possession they ran the ball with speed and intent, as indeed did Rossendale when they had it. James Bramall levelled the scores with a penalty when Beverley RUFC were caught offside but with only ten minutes left of the first half Rossendale had been unable to add to their score and make the big advantage of the slope count.
At that stage with the score at 3-3 Beverley RUFC could feel reasonably happy knowing they had the advantage of the conditions to come in the second half. Then it all went wrong. Within the space of ten minutes Matthew Adams, Danny Morris, James Mckay and Martin Shaw were all sent to the sin-bin as Mr. Sullivan appeared to reach for a card as his first option at every infringement. Beverley RUFC were clearly shell-shocked and in total disarray and they never recovered. From 3-3 the score went to 29-3 in ten minutes as Rossendale made the most of it with tries from Alastair Harper, Tom Albinson, Matt Mckenzie and a penalty try, three of them converted by Bramall.
Even with the advantage of the slope Beverley RUFC needed a superhuman effort to come back in the second half. It got off to the worst possible start when winger Nick Fountaine went over for a fifth home try converted by Bramall and then full back Roger Dennison added another nine minutes later. There was no way back for Beverley RUFC. At 41-3 down victory was clearly beyond them but once they were back to full strength they re-grouped and fought back splendidly. For the remainder of the match they had Rossendale on the back foot. The referee’s preponderance with yellow cards mercifully subsided in the second half with Rossendale flanker Thomas Short being the fifth and final unlucky recipient.
David Worrall forced his way over for a try for Beverley RUFC from a short penalty and Gill’s conversion got them into double figures. Then a superb converted try by Richard Bussey sprinting away from inside his own half brought it to 41-17. Beverley RUFC continued to have the better of the half and added a third try when Gavin Gibson touched down following a forward drive to the corner. Three converted tries adrift but Beverley RUFC made a terrific attempt to get them. They completely dominated the final stages but sadly time ran out.
Despite the nature of the defeat there were some positive aspects for Beverley RUFC. The back line again looked menacing; Bussey, back in his best position at full back, was a constant threat, and Chris Harding looked as though he could be the answer to Beverley RUFC’s worrying wing problems, showing plenty of pace and a good eye for an opening.
Despite the disruption the pack stuck at it well and skipper Worrall’s example and effort was immense throughout. There was plenty of good rugby from both sides but sadly there was also ample confirmation that referees’ brandishing of yellow cards like there is no tomorrow is not really in the game’s best interests.
Final score – Rossendale 41 Beverley RUFC 22
