Not much memorable rugby but another useful win for Beverley to keep them level pegging at the head of the table. Despite being good in patches the game as a whole was disappointing given the open conditions.
There was certainly plenty of frenetic activity but somehow this match never quite came to life. It was a stop-start affair with constant interruptions for injuries and infringements which probably hampered Beverley’s fluid style of play more than it did Middlesbrough’s. In the end the win was workmanlike rather than inspired.
Beverley RUFC were never quite at their best. They started poorly and were ten points down in five minutes but as the game wore on they did steadily begin to dominate and by the end were well in control. Nonetheless there was a good deal of uncharacteristic sloppiness along the way – tackles and passes were missed and three times Middlesbrough were allowed to chase up and catch the ball from their own re-starts.
For the first ten minutes Beverley hardly got a look-in. After two minutes they were already behind from a penalty by full back Jack Bircham and after five went further behind when winger Josh Evans sprinted through from halfway for a try which Bircham converted. Middlesbrough looked more up for it and were far quicker to the breakdown. However, slow starting is nothing new for Beverley and when they did settle they started to show their capabilities. Lee Birch with a scorching forty metre run down the right went over for a try only to have it disallowed for allegedly putting a foot in touch, although from the touchline the decision looked distinctly dubious.
Beverley’s disappointment however was short lived. A forward drive in the corner brought a try for Chris Infield to halve the deficit. Sadly the conversion kick was ruled dead after Tomasi Tumani’s slow saunter over to take it and subsequent preparation exceeded the time allowed. Still, Beverley were now getting back into it and after half an hour they levelled it at ten apiece.
From a tap penalty eight metres out David Worrall broke away and sent Sam Atiola in at the corner. Worrall had a tremendous game, rampaging about the field all afternoon either with the ball in his hands or mopping up in defence.
Beverley should have moved ahead when they were awarded a penalty almost in front but they opted for a scrum which they promptly lost and the ball was cleared. But within two minutes they made amends. A mazy run by Sam Atiola took play deep into enemy territory where he released the ball to his brother Leki who crossed for Beverley’s third try. Tumani’s conversion went over off the post. Despite another Bircham penalty for Middlesbrough Beverley led 17-13 at the break but there was not much in it.
Early in the second half with Middlesbrough number eight Richie Barker in the sin-bin Beverley extended their lead when the pack drove forward from a penalty scrum and Infield touched down for a converted try.
The loss of Sam Atiola with a damaged shoulder in addition to that of Birch, who had already departed with an ankle injury, was a double blow for Beverley. Middlesbrough at that stage were still a threat despite the scoreline. Their fly half Simon O’Farrell was a constant danger and only a terrific last ditch tackle by Infield prevented him going over after one fine break.
Jonny Stephenson for Beverley and prop Craig Chapman for Middlesbrough were both yellow carded before Beverley finally settled the issue with a fine converted try by Richard Bussey who took an inside pass from fly half Sam Allen and sprinted over from thirty metres. In the dying minutes O’Farrell chipped through on his own 22, gathered, and raced nearly the length of the pitch for a late consolation home try. In the end another job well done for Beverley who have now won five out of five.
Final Score: Middlesbrough 18 Beverley RUFC 31 | Reported by John Nursey
