The game started with some outstanding tackling from Beverley who certainly looked full of aggression from the off. James McGahey, who performs text book tackles week in week out, forced an error with the ferocity of his defensive block to give Beverley the ball and from this Owen Harrison received the pass and twisted his way through the Isberg line to open the scoring with an excellent try and then kicked the conversion.
As the game restarted, the Braves gained possession through the determination of Harry Gray who used all his strength to drive the Isberg player into touch. As a direct result of his bravery the ball found McGahey, who released Joe Wardill at a pace to dive over the white wash. Undeterred, Isberg responded with a try of their own as they worked hard and moved the ball around well but Harry Bulleyment retaliated with another of his well worked tries which so many teams find hard to defend against. Harrison converted well.
Isberg kicked the restart only for the ball to go straight out and the Braves regained possession. Some strong runs and big hits followed from Callum Officer, Darren Benstead and Jack Brown driving the play closer to the Isberg line, and a superb try followed from a determined Dylan Clifford who has such power going forward. Harrison converted. Beverley though also exhibited some excellent defensive sets when called upon and a kick up field saw a chance beckoning for the away side but a great chase from McGahey wrapped up the player, and the half time whistle blew 22 – 4.
The match restarted with some more storming runs by Bulleyment, and the lethal combination of McGahey and Wardill produced another stunning try from the latter to edge the score from Isberg’s reach. Harrison adding the two points well. As the game continued Clifford dived onto a loose ball and from the play, the ball went out wide to Gray who used his strength brilliantly to touch down in the corner.
The Beverley Braves continued to dominate; Keegan Bartlett works so well with McGahey, who made massive yards only to be stopped just short of the line but the play reached Wardill, who completed his hat trick well despite limping over the line. Bartlett converted.
Another move saw Harrison switch direction and release Bulleyment, who powered over once again. Bartlett kicked. Isberg played well and they exhibited a much stronger side than had been faced in previous encounters and only a try saving tackle at the end of the match from a dazed Harrison prevented them putting more points on the board.
Final score 44 -4 and a superb Man of the Match display from the ever consistent McGahey.
Reported by Sue Wardill
