Beverley paid the price for one dreadful lapse in defence to go down to a narrow defeat at league leaders Stockport. The wet conditions meant the game was fairly error-strewn and often scrappy, but it was exciting and enjoyable for all that. It was played throughout in a good spirit for which great credit is due to the refereeing of Simon Lazenby who kept it flowing with the minimum of fuss.
The result could have gone either way and Beverley RUFC certainly played some of their best rugby of recent weeks. They were not helped by several enforced last minute changes to the line-up but this performance was as good as we have seen for some time and they must surely have now put their losing run behind them. Only some sloppy handling spoilt an otherwise enterprising effort.
They had the better of the early play and deservedly went ahead with a Phil Duboulay penalty from in front of the posts when Stockport were caught offside. Sadly they conceded an identical penalty of their own within a minute of the restart and fly half Matt Bebbington levelled the scores. Beverley RUFC continued to dominate the half with their pack producing plenty of good ball.
Several times they carved out openings only for the final pass to go astray. Richard Bussey and Goran Jelencic on the Beverley RUFC wings always looked fast and dangerous but poor handling and over-elaboration in midfield meant the wings did not see enough of the ball.
Stockport with less possession moved the ball wide more quickly and looked the more incisive for it. It was a day when the wet conditions were not conducive to intricate backplay and direct running was the better option. Twice Stockport broke clear down the left only to be denied by Jade Gardiner who made two superb last-ditch tackles to redeem a day he might otherwise prefer to forget.
Beverley RUFC probably had more clear cut chances in the first half. Junior Tupai nearly scored when he broke through in the home 22 and they might have turned round in the lead had they opted to kick for goal with a late penalty instead of into the corner.
Stockport looked a different side in the second half. From the outset they played the slope to their advantage constantly kicking to the low corner. Seven minutes into the half they scored the decisive try when Beverley RUFC made a complete hash of dealing with a harmless looking kick towards the line. They failed to gather the rolling ball which allowed centre Craig Cooper to pounce and touch down. Bebbington with a superb conversion from the touchline took Stockport to 10-3.
Beverley RUFC made a fine effort to get back into it but the passing in the backs went from bad to worse and it was a day when even the normally reliable Duboulay and Tupai were not immune.
Some ill-directed and aimless kicking straight to opponents did not help. But once they had their noses in front Stockport had a more solid and confident look to them and in the later stages Beverley RUFC could make little progress. Tupai, Bussey, and Jelencic all made dangerous breaks and Ally Forth once broke threateningly from a maul but the home tackling was too good. Stockport ended the game strongly but Beverley RUFC’s own defending was equally as good, keeping them out and deservedly ensuring they at least left with a hard won bonus point.
With results elsewhere going their way Beverley RUFC’s league position has not suffered unduly following their recent disappointing spell. They now have a slightly easier run-in to their league programme and there is no reason why they should not end the season on a satisfying note, particularly if they can maintain the encouraging form shown here.
Final score, Stockport 10 Beverley 3
