This game proved to be a tough ask against a strong Hull Dockers second string. The hosts trailed 20-0 at the break and had to play 50 minutes of the game with only 12 men following the dismissal of full back Steve Connolly. They did, however, finish the game strongly suggesting that fitness is certainly not an issue.
In front of another big crowd at the Beverley Leisure Centre, they went toe to toe with their East Hull opponents until an incident that proved to be a game changer in the 25th minute. Mike Cooper took a sweet pass to charge over the line with a mass of bodies around him but was adjudged to having been held up over the line.
The next play saw a Beverley ARLC kick go straight into the hands of a Dockers player for him to race 70 metres to score. The incident appeared to open the floodgates as the visitors registered another 3 tries, two of which took place during an astonishing 14 minutes of first-half injury time.
The fight back began early in the second half for the hosts when an opportunistic one on one ball steal from Steve Davidson saw him take the ball to scamper away to score beneath the posts for Watkin to convert. Beverley’s forwards particularly Gareth Lane and Rich Etherington began to make much more inroads in the second half.
The visitors posted another try before Ryan Watkin scored a typically individualistic try dancing around several defenders to score and convert his own try.
The visitors posted another two scores before the ever hardworking Phil Hill scored a well-taken try to add respectability to the scoreboard.
Rich Etherington took the committee man of the match award in a typically whole hearted performance in attack and defence.
The draw has taken place for the Yorkshire Cup. Beverley has been handed a bye to the last 32, but they will face a daunting second round tie as they will be at home to Pennine Premier League side Halifax Irish on Saturday 13th October.
Beverley are attempting to forge much stronger links with the junior section (Braves). It is intended that at each home match this season, they will be a player from the ‘Braves’ acting as a mascot. The first mascot this season was Mathew Cook who had an enjoyable afternoon.
Beverley will again at home this Saturday to Scarborough Pirates. Please note that kick off at the Bevelrey Leisure Centre will be at the slightly later time of 2.30pm.
This kick off time will apply to all Hull & District league matches involving Scarborough this season.
Final Score: Beverley ARLC 18 Hull Dockers 36 | Reported by Nick Robinson
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