Charlie Barker scored a long range try in each half as Beverley Braves under 8s fought out a thrilling draw with Skirlaugh B,each team scoring 7 tries apiece.
Top tackler Isaac Merryweather got stuck in in defence, ably assisted by Lewis Bradley & Charlie Gay to repel wave after wave of a strong Skirlaugh attack.
The Nuttall boys Tom and Alex scored a try each in reply for the Braves Tommy Braithwaite-Lepine got over for his first try for the club with a typically strong burst.
Adam Greenwood went well despite a hurt finger as did Ellis Gaden and Jacob Parkinson but Brian Usher just edged out Jude Kilgannon for the star of the match trophy with a barnstorming display full of determination and trickery, also scoring his first try for the club.
Coach Craig Collins said it was a game of 2 halves.
UNDER9’s
Beverley Braves under 9’s had a short turnaround from their previous game, a 4-2 defeat to Warrington side Crossfields, a game played at half-time in front of 12,000 at the Warrington v Hull FC game on Easter Monday.
There were slightly fewer spectators at the leisure centre to see their home game against Holderness Vikings two days later but they did produce their best performance of the season to run out 10-5 winners. The Braves did not have it all their own way and the Vikings were the first to score on only the second tackle of the match and they were unlucky to see the ball go to the floor on several occasions when attempting some expansive rugby.
William Wallis was once again a handful. His strong, weaving runs cause many defences problems and tonight was no different. He scored his first to make it 1all and his second came after the ball went through several pairs of hands with the final pass putting him in space from
William Snook. Oliver Loney barged over from close range to get his first, well deserved try in Beverley colours and when Wallis completed his hat-trick the Braves were suddenly 4-1 ahead. Holderness scored two more before the break with another from Wallis in-between to make the half-time score 5-3 to Beverley.
The Braves probably had one of their best defensive games with everyone contributing but notably Loney, Ethan Rowbotham, Lewis Egan and Oli Gresswell, who had his best game for the Braves to date, all high in the tackle count. A dummy from Marcus Walker opened the gap for him to sprint clear and open the second half scoring and with Ryan Deane also having a great game both going forward and in defence the scene was set for the Braves to push on and secure victory.
After a Vikings try had made it 6-4, Dylan English jinked his way through the Vikings defence only to be pulled down just short but that set up the position for Loney to grab his second, powering over again from close range.
The Vikings kept in touch with another score but were caught napping at the restart when Walker raced clear for his second.
Egan went close and Tom Marr had a great break down the right wing but it was Rowbotham who would be next to score. Tom Newton pulled off a try saving tackle in the left hand corner and George Lees was also strong in defence before having to come off after a knock to the head.
Will Sandford and Matthew Hutchinson also played their part as the Braves completed the win with a final try from Wallis. Man of the match could have been several players but Oliver Loney with his two tries and superb effort in defence was the deserved recipient this week.
