Seven tries, seven conversions. Beverley RUFC comfortably continued their good run and they now stand fourteen points clear of their nearest rivals at the top of North One East.
With eight of their senior players missing Beverley RUFC might have approached this game with some apprehension, particularly in the light of Pocklington’s style of play which centres almost entirely on their powerful pack. Indeed for twenty minutes they pounded away at the home line and kept Beverley RUFC pinned it their own half. But to no avail.
The Beverley RUFC tackling was solid and as soon as their own backs got the ball Beverley RUFC promptly ran in two converted tries within the space of a minute to take command. At a stroke the final outcome was as good as settled.
The difference in the sides throughout was in Beverley RUFC’s speed and far superior support play. Pocklington could never match it either in defence or attack and whenever the Beverley RUFC backs had the ball in their hands you felt that a score was likely. David Worrall broke through on halfway to set up the first try for Rob Smith, and then immediately caught the restart kick to start a back move which brought the second. Phil Duboulay made a clean break in midfield, moved the ball left, and Sam Atiola rounded off some slick passing to race over. Within ten minutes they had added a third from Goran Jelencic and it was virtually all over.
Pocklington’s powerful forward effort gradually waned as the home pack steadily gained momentum. Worrall was a thorn in their flesh all afternoon and Joe Picketts was not far behind. Alex Ogilvie with several powerful runs took some stopping. It was a fine burst by him which brought Beverley RUFC their fourth try, touched down in the corner by Tomasi Tanumi just before halftime. Once again Beverley RUFC within a minute added another, this time by Peckitts, enabling them to turn round 35-0 up.
Pocklington continued to battle away to good effect up front but apart from full back Joe Holbrough they posed little threat behind the scrum. Holbrough ran strongly but otherwise they did not possess enough cutting edge outside to trouble the Beverley RUFC defence. None the less four minutes into the second half centre Jake Bishop did get over for a try in the corner to get Pocklington on the scoresheet. Beverley RUFC’s response was immediate. Lee Birch set off on a weaving run down the right touchline and put Smith over under the posts for his second try which took Beverley RUFC past the forty point mark.
From Beverley RUFC’s point of view the performance of teenagers Stuart Nel in the second row and Smith at scrum half was hugely encouraging. Both acquitted themselves well and Smith in particular had a splendid game, throwing out good passes and using the ball intelligently as well as producing one lovely run through the middle. He fully deserved the generous applause afforded him when he made way for Mike Kilgannon late in the game.
A yellow card for Beverley RUFC prop Manu Kirkwood brought little relief for Pocklington although they continued to battle away bravely until the end. Ten minutes from time Atiola rounded off the scoring with a seventh try for Beverley RUFC. Duboulay with seven successful conversions out of seven, two of them fine kicks from the touchline, had a good day with the boot and his tackling was once again outstanding. Beverley RUFC’s defending generally was sound throughout the whole game but some of Duboulay’s crunching tackles on forwards twice his size were enough to make you wince.
So Beverley RUFC continue to stretch ahead with ever widening clear water between them and second placed Wheatley Hills. Next week they have another local derby at Malton and Norton which will no doubt be a tough fixture but they then follow this with two consecutive home games. On their present form it is hard to see anyone catching them now.
Final Score : Beverley RUFC 49 Pocklington RUFC 5 | Reported by John Nursey
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