Beverley Braves U13 Rugby League squad headed to York for a pre season tournament with pouring rain more akin to the winter season.
The first of their two matches was against the hosts New Earswick All Blacks. The matches were 20 minutes each way with no kicks. As both teams were an unknown quantity Dylan Clifford led the way with a superb hard tackle from the off to show the opposition just what they were up against.
The first ten minutes saw the teams were equally matched both in attack and defence. Despite slippery conditions Beverley got into their stride well and started to pass the ball around confidently opening up the All Blacks wall. Our full back broke free up the wing but was held up on the line and now Beverley had to come up with the goods. Danny Dawson worked particularly hard in the middle making some telling tackles and a side stepping move from Kurt Pelham released Joe Wardill down the wing to score beneath the sticks.
Almost straight from the off Beverley’s scrum half released Wardill to scoot free again unchallenged. From the off All Black’s were prevented from making ground with two excellent tackles on the trot from Pelham. The centre of the field was dominated by the Braves strong pack with Harry Bulleyment, Callum Officer and Callam Bielby preventing any opposition from travelling far. The next try before half time was an excellently executed team try passing through Jay Black, James McGahey and Jamie Branton with his usual fast hands to let Wardill in again over the white wash. Half time 3 – 0 to Beverley.
Another team try followed in the second half as a flowing movement from one wing to the other side with faultless hands for Harry Gray to beat the last man and score once more against a stunned All Black’s. The Braves were not only awesome in attack though, as McGahey as ever, made some stunning tackles and was outstanding in the middle of the park. Tom Wood on the wing and Tony Usher in the pack made good contributions to the team.
Again Wardill broke away and added another try but New Earswick did not give up and a finely executed grubber kick saw them put some deserved points on the board. Braves answered with a kick which skimmed the ground and the loose ball was pounced upon by McGahey to add another try to Beverley. Wardill also added his fifth try from another stunning passing move to seal a 7 – 1 victory which was thoroughly deserved for a fantastic performance in both attack and defence.
The second match for Beverley immediately followed against the Pontefract side Upton who came on with fresh legs. Beverley started as they had left off though with a team try for Beverley’s winger as he saw the ball pass along from one wing to the other for him to accelerate into the corner with such speed that it left the Upton defence standing.
They regained their composure though and answered in the best way possible with a try of their own when they found a gap in the usual solid Beverley defensive wall. A high kick from Upton saw Connor Egan claim a very difficult ball cleanly despite been under immense pressure with the attacking side landing hard onto him. Upton’s confidence was on the up and they made yards to put pressure in Beverley’s half but Pelham read their game and made a stunning interception and charged up the field followed by the Upton back’s.
With no support in sight he had no choice but to go on his own but speedy Pelham could not be caught as he claimed his outstanding try to give Beverley the edge 2 – 1. Some lucky decisions followed which went Upton’s way and they claimed another try to level the game 2 – 2 just before the half time whistle blew.
Despite Beverley not getting a break between matches they still ran hard and their persistence paid off as an error forced by Gray and Wardill released the ball for McGahey to dive on which he does so well with his excellent positioning and sheer determination. The Braves worked constantly and tired legs made try saving challenges and crunching tackles. Superb side steps from Jay Black opened up space every time for his usual pin point passes.
Beverley always keep their play clean and hard and Owen Harrison when he moved to full back took high balls cleanly and ran strong to make essential yards up the field. The last minute seemed like the longest of the day and Beverley, despite digging deep, were beaten by a lovely kick from Upton to level the score and the final whistle blew at 3 all.
Upton then played New Earswick and the score was even at 3 – 3 which gave Beverley the cup and bags full of hope for a fantastic season to come.
