If last week’s dismal showing at Penrith did nothing else it certainly served as a wake-up call for Beverley RUFC. They came back in fine style today to overcome fellow strugglers Morley in an enjoyable and lively encounter at Beaver Park. Both sides desperately needed a win here, Beverley even more than Morley. For over half the match the result hung in the balance with Beverley holding a slender 8-3 lead. But in the second half Beverley eased away to secure a comfortable victory and come within a whisker of gaining a four try bonus point.
From the start it was clear that both teams were going to be up for it and no quarter was asked or given by either side all afternoon. One yellow card for Beverley and three for Morley just about summed up the relative robustness of each side’s play. After Morley’s Simon Bradshaw was off target with an early penalty attempt Beverley took the lead with a lovely try from Richard Bussey who went over in the corner following a thrilling run through the middle by Junior Tupai. A Bradshaw penalty for offside in front of the posts then brought Morley back into it but Beverley immediately cancelled it out with one from Phil Duboulay to restore the five point cushion.
The Beverley pack was looking an altogether different proposition from the lackadaisical outfit of the previous week. The front five were noticeably bolstered by the return of Gavin Gibson to the second row and Tony Riby-French’s inclusion at wing forward made a significant impact to the back row. There was an altogether more determined and aggressive effort up front which served Beverley in good stead. Both sides’ tackling was outstanding, particularly that of Beverley who kept Morley’s danger man, Bradshaw, at bay all afternoon. Nor was the lively visiting backline ever really allowed to make much of an impact.
Unfortunately Beverley’s lineout was different matter. It continues to remain a serious problem as once again they lost more of their own throw-ins than they won. The trouble seems to stem from a constant inclination to over-elaborate or else indulge in wayward long throws. Morley on the other hand kept it simple and lost only one of their throw-ins all afternoon. Beverley might have added to their lead with several excellent moves. Tupai was only beaten inches from the line to a deft Duboulay chip over the defence and Goran Jelencic was stopped just short as he went for the corner down the right. Mark Hatfield would have had a try had the referee not ruled rather harshly for a crossing offence.
The defining moment of the game came a quarter of an hour into the second half while Morley were down to fourteen with centre Bradley Marshall in the sin bin. Beverley went twelve points clear with a catch and drive to the line from a penalty line-out ten metres out. Gibson got the touchdown and Duboulay added the conversion. After that there was realistically no way back for Morley.
Duboulay made good use of the stiff downfield wind to keep them penned in their own half although Morley never ceased to fight back, usually by using their speedy backline in an attempt to break clear. Beverley’s defending however held firm and only rarely did Morley manage to threaten the home line in the second half. Beverley’s constant second half pressure eventually brought a third try, the result of a nicely worked move going left which ended with Tupai touching down wide out. Beverley spent the dying minutes desperately striving for a fourth try and a bonus point and would have got it at the death had the ball not been knocked on with the line gaping. This was a fine win for Beverley and they can now go into the new year with everything to play for and a good chance of climbing to safety. All they need to do is keep playing like this.
Final Score: Beverley RUFC 20 Morley 3 | Reported by John Nursey
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