The Beverley Braves did not have the best of starts to this Peter Lowthorpe Under 14 Cup semi final as they had to soak up massive pressure on their line from the off but Owen Harrison spoilt the attack with an excellent interception, accelerating up the pitch with what seemed like the whole West Hull team chasing him. His stamina held and they could not catch him giving the perfect opener for Beverley.
Keegan Bartlett kicked the conversion well. With confidence sky high Dylan Clifford tackled a West Hull player so hard that they knocked on, giving possession back to the Braves and from this a another fantastic pass from James McGahey released Joe Wardill on one of his blistering runs powering through anyone who got in his way to put down another superb try, Harrison adding the conversion.
An excellent game to watch it was West Hull who had to work hard now and they got the break from an interception to open their scoring. Will Johnson had an immense game at centre both in attack and defence picking up the ball with such safe hands. West Hull offloaded the ball well though; releasing runners and they soon found a way over but with a missed kick they trailed by two points. The crowd could see the visitor’s confidence growing and they ran in two more tries to put the half time score in their favour 12 points to 20.
Beverley needed to come out in the second half and attack West Hull like they did in the first 10 minutes but West’s are a classy side. Despite a great defensive line by Beverley the opposition found a gap out wide and then another try was run in from a charging run. The gap was beginning to edge away from the Braves and they needed to get their belief that they could score.
The players never gave up and despite more tries been scored by West Hull, Beverley should be so proud of themselves as their effort could not be faulted. Players connected with some immense hits not least Darren Benstead, Callam Bielby and Callum Officer.
Beverley was rewarded after another strong charging run by Jack Brown which took them just short of West Hull’s line. Harry Bullyment saw his chance from the play of the ball to use all his strength and force his body over to give a much deserved try to the Braves. Harrison converted and the final score in this excellent semi final was 18 – 48.
Man of the Match went to Joe Wardill for an excellent game in defence and attack.
