Beverley RUFC 2nds were crowned East Yorkshire Division One Champions on Sunday in a thrilling final against Malton, running out eventual winner 31-25.
On a fine afternoon for rugby at Driffields Kelleythorpe ground, the crowd were treated to a cracking game which was credit to both sides. With so much riding on the game you could have forgiven either side if they’d played safe and low risk rugby, but neither side has done that this season and they weren’t about to start now.
It was Malton who showed their intent from their very first attack, moving the ball to their centres who broke free and only a last ditch intervention from winger Alex Nightingale saved a certain Malton try. However from their next piece of possession, Beverley infringed and Maltons fly half slotted the resulting penalty to take the lead.
The lead was short lived as Beverley took the game to Malton from the restart and when Malton handled in the ruck, full back Jamie Gill stepped up to tie the score at 3 all.
Beverley’s backs had been playing some excellent rugby recently and their star man James Graham was again in the thick of the action all day. From a simple switch move he scythed through the Malton defence and sent outside centre Tim Hullock under the posts for a try converted by Gill.
At this point it was all Beverley with Malton having to concede penalties in an effort to contain the Beavers. Two more Gill penalties took
Beverley into a 16-3 lead and it seemed like they would walk away with it. Malton though came back strongly and after a series of drives to the Beavers line Beverley Captain Ian Archibald was yellow carded for stopping an almost certain try.
With Malton tails up and with a man advantage a catch and drive to the line brought them their first try and reduced the lead to eight points. An almost identical move brought them another try. Both conversions were missed as Beverley led 16-13 at half time.
As the second half kicked off Beverley knew they were now in a match and needed to front up to the challenge. However they seemed unable to keep hold of the ball and create any pressure of their own and it was Malton who struck first and took the lead for the second time in the match.
Their rolling mall caused Beverley problems all afternoon and from another trundle towards the Beverley line they moved the ball wide and a mix up out wide in the Beavers defence saw their winger round of a fine move for a converted try.
Trailing 20-16 and in the face of a sustained forward onslaught Beverley showed their true character and came storming back. The pack finally began to provide quick ball for their dangerous backs with back row trio Dave Brant, Dale Hodgson and Adam Mclatchie to the fore.
Beverley began to pressurise the Malton Line and after a series of forward drives a loose ball was picked up by replacement Aaron Clark who showed great determination to crash over for a converted try.
More good play from the Beavers saw them camp in the Malton twenty two, hooker Robert Todd and Prop Andy Meagher carried the ball well and set up great field position and with a quick switch of play Hullock linked with Fly half Ben Sherwood who ignored his winger to barge through the last tackle for a well worked try.
The conversion was missed but with an eight point lead Beverley almost had the game in the bag, but back came Malton through their forwards. A series of penalties resulted in a line out on the Beverley five metre line and despite the referee initially signalling the ball had been held up, he awarded a try as Malton closed the gap to three points.
With two minutes left it was still all to play for but it was Beverley who gained the upper hand after a knock on by the Malton full back. Beverley then showed great composure as they kept the ball and drove on through their forwards. As Malton became desperate for possession they gave a away a penalty straight in front of their posts and Gill made no mistake. As the ball sailed between the sticks the referee blew for full time and the
Beverley players celebrated a fantastic victory 31-25.
This was a great performance from Beverley, although they struggled with Maltons rolling maul, they played some fantastic 15 man rugby which has been their philosophy all season. With injuries to key players including Captain Rob Vaux (snapped achillies), 2nd row Eddie Russell (concussion), winger Luke Berzins (broken ribs) to name but a few, this season has been a real squad effort, with everyone contributing along the way.
Beverley RUFC 2nds XV
Shaun Jenney, Robert Todd, Andy Meagher, Phil Cromie, Lewis Clark, Adam Mclatchie, Dale Hodgson, Dave Brant, Ian Archibald (C), Ben Sherwood, Alex Nightingale, James Graham, Tim Hullock, Jack Courtney, Jamie Gill.
Replacements: Aaron Clark, Jordan Thorne, Chad May, Danny Docherty, Alex Smith, Kristian Snelling, Mark Jenney.