After playing some thrilling rugby in recent weeks, Beverley RUFC were disappointingly back to their most frustrating here and could have few complaints about this defeat. Beverley were ponderous throughout and with more performances like this will be in danger of getting dragged into a relegation struggle.
After twenty minutes Beverley RUFC were twelve points down after Billingham twice pounced on poor Beverley passes to score two tries. Eventually Beverley did get going with a thirty five metres penalty by Phil Dale after Billingham were caught offside at a ruck.
The longer the game went on the less capable Beverley looked of scoring a try. The only one they did get was a penalty try awarded just before halftime after Junior Tupai had made the only clean break of the half and set up a scrum on the Billingham line which the home side promptly collapsed. Dale’s conversion reduced the deficit at the interval to only two points at 12-10.
Ten minutes into the second half and Beverley were in front when Dale kicked a fine penalty from the touchline after Billingham were penalised at a ruck. The lead then twice changed hands as Billingham kicked a penalty only for Dale to restore it immediately for Beverley with a long range kick that just crept over.
With ten minutes left Beverley RUFC were camped in their own 22 and desperately hanging on to a single point lead, but some slick passing by the home backs resulted in a winning converted try for Billingham. Beverley RUFC still had a chance to salvage it in the last minute with a penalty into the corner but the kick failed to find touch. It just about summed up their day.
Final Score: Bilingham 22 Beverley RUFC 16
