The 2011/2012 season opened at Beaver Park, Beverley on Friday evening with Beverley RUFC taking on Hull Ionians in the first round of the Yorkshire Cup before a good sized crowd.
An entertaining match was in prospect with National Two (North) side Ionians parading their string of newly signed players against a young National Three (North) Beverley RUFC side.
Initial anticipation proved to be correct for this was an absolutely cracking match with the outcome in doubt until the final whistle.
Beverley RUFC opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a well worked try from wing Steve Johnson, following initial breaks by Junior Tupai and Sam Atiola. Phil Duboulay added the conversion to make it 7 – 0. Play swung from end to end but Beverley RUFC’s inexperience was telling and they were conceding far too many penalties at the breakdown, one of which Tomkins, the Ionians No 10 converted to reduce the arrears to 7-3.
The game, although fast and furious was becoming increasingly niggardly and, midway through the first half Ionians took the lead from a forward drive following a lineout in the Beverley RUFC 22. Tomkins added the conversion to make the score 7-10. Shortly afterwards Ionians were reduced to 14 men when their flanker kicked James McKay on the ground and was despatched to the sin bin.
Almost on the stroke of half time Phil Duboulay levelled the scores with a well taken penalty 10-10.
Beverley RUFC started strongly in the second half and took the lead with a smart try by full back Ben Johnson too far out for Duboulay to convert (15-10.). A period of sustained Ionians pressure followed which culminated in the inevitable penalty which Jenkins converted to reduce the lead to 15-13. The beavers were somewhat under the cosh now against their much more experienced opponents and eventually, after a series of forward drives the referee awarded Ionians a penalty try and despatched Goran Jelencic to the sin bin. (15-20)
This set back seemed to galvanise the Beavers and they mounted strong attacks, lead by Dave Worrall, James Mckay and Junior Tupai. Ionians became increasingly desperate under pressure and finally a superb break from halfway by Junior Tupai, carried on by James McKay spread-eagled the Ionians defence and young debutant Rob Smith finished off the move with an excellent match saving try.(20-20).
Phil Duboulay lined up the conversion from the touchline and to the delight of the Beverley RUFC contingent, and the despair of Ionians, slotted it home with the last kick of the game.
Final Score Beverley RUFC 22 Hull Ionians 20
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