Some very difficult conditions were felt this Sunday morning as swirling winds blew around the field but despite this both teams played some skillful rugby. Within just a few minutes Beverley gained possession as Keegan Bartlett bravely picked up a loose ball and from this the flowing move gathered momentum down the line reaching Joe Wardill who threw a superb dummy and opened up a gap in Hull’s defence and he put the ball over to open the scoring.
As Isberg kicked off, the ball was neatly gathered by Harry Gray who made a brilliant run to take away the danger from Beverley’s line. James McGahey took up the run in the middle and made impressive yards for Beverley and from this the ball found Gray again who completed the move by forcing his body over the line and scoring an excellent try.
It was Isberg’s time to up the game and a spell of attacking runs saw Beverley pinned to their line but good defensive play kept the home side out. Beverley’s next attacking move saw Isberg sucked in leaving the left side open for Wardill to attack and score out wide. Bartlett made an excellent conversion in blustery winds to add the two points.
Callum Officer, Jamie Branton and Kurt Pelham were tireless in the centre tackling relentlessly, bringing down the attacking players again and again. James Sherwin was teasingly close to using his acceleration down the wing and was only stopped by the wind carrying the ball beyond his reach. Hull Isberg had another impressive attack and as Beverley had to kick a goal line drop out, the ball bobbled and found the hands of Isberg who made a good run and scored.
Beverley bounced straight back though in the best way possible with McGahey side stepping through the Hull defence leaving them flat footed and diving over the line for an excellent try just before half time making the score 6 – 20.
The second half started with Harry Bulleyment coming off the subs bench after a lengthy lay off through injury. He started with the most amazing run brushing aside player after player as he bull dozed down the field and was only stopped by half of the Isberg team clinging on. Beverley was getting in their stride now, the enthusiasm of Bulleyment spreading throughout the team. Conor Egan continued with his text book tackles bringing down players with ease.
Danny Dawson was fired up and made some crunching tackles. Harvey Lazenby came on and played really well from acting half as other players came off injured. Isberg kept the pressure on though and continued to push Beverley hard.
Their defence held tight and from his own line Wardill sprinted up the field for a full length try unable to be caught by any of the chasing players scoring a brilliant individual try.
Bartlett tackled well despite picking up a shoulder injury earlier in the game. Dylan Clifford then, after a ferocious tackle in the middle, received the ball and his head went down and the spectators knew that no one was going to stop him crossing that line. Bulleyment followed with his own run and despite the Isberg players getting in front of him, his momentum carried him forward and his legs powered to drive over to score his first try for Beverley Braves which was so deserved.
Isberg kicked off and Tom Wood took the ball in very difficult circumstances and following this excellent take, Wardill received a pass from Bulleyment and scored his fourth try of the game to finish 6 – 40. Although the wind could have ruined the game today credit must go to both sides for keeping the ball alive with few mistakes. Man of the match to Harry Bulleyment who was outstanding.
Reported by Sue Wardill
