Beverley Braves under nines had their first taste of silverware in their short rugby league careers on Wednesday evening with a 8-4 win over Hull Dockers to win the ‘Curly Challenge Cup’.
The cup is in memory of Paul ‘Curly’ Quiney a former Beverley and Dockers player who died suddenly 18 months ago and was presented by his widow, Michelle, to the victorious Braves team after a fantastic game.
Played at great intensity throughout the defence and attacking skills from both sides was great to see. William Snook was the first to score when on the sixth tackle he managed to squeeze through several attempted tackles to score in the corner.
After keeping Dockers out for the next set of six tackles, superb drives from Oliver Loney, Bradley Loftus and Ethan Rowbotham ensured the Braves were on the front foot, setting up the position for William Wallis to burst through from close range to make it 2 nil.
Dockers were not going to lie down and they hit back on the back of strong drives especially from their man of the match, James McCulloch to score twice and draw level.
After Dylan English had secured possession with an interception and Lewis Egan created havoc with the run around with Ryan Deane, Marcus Walker dummied and crashed over to ensure the slenderest of leads for the Braves at half-time at 3-2.
In the second half the Braves continued where they left off with strong defence from both wingers, Snook and George Lees, snuffing out the Dockers expansive attacks and Joseph Denis working hard in the middle.
Interchanges Matthew Hutchinson, Oliver Gresswell and Tom Newton kept up the momentum when they came on to the field which was needed as Dockers pulled the score back to 3 all. From the re-start Wallis raced down the wing to put the Braves ahead again, only for Dockers to draw level again. Wallis completed his hat-trick and then on the back of a strong run from Tom Marr and then a great break by Snook he scored again to make it 6-4.
When Lees scorched through the middle to score he secured the Beverley man of the match and it was then left to Walker to break down the left to set up the position for Loney to bull doze over for a deserved try.
After the game players and spectators including several of Paul Quiney’
s family enjoyed a drink and food in the bar. The intention is for the cup to be played for every time the two teams meet in the future.