It was not long before the first points were on the score board for the Braves. Despite swirling winds at the Cottingham ground, Beverley executed a clinical move when James McGahey passed to Owen Harrison who in turn neatly found Harry Inman leaving him to run hard and fast to finish well in the corner.
The Tiger’s retaliated well though and put Beverley under pressure. Callum Officer is vital in Beverley’s defence as he puts in massive hits again and again to thwart most players as they attack. The Braves broke through on the attack and full back Joe Wardill found a gap and accelerated beyond reach to score out wide.
The Tigers continued to put Beverley under pressure though and did not let the Braves have their own way. It was Keegan Bartlett who made a great interception near his own line to give Beverley possession and from the resulting play Wardill sprinted down the pitch and Darren Benstead who always supports well took a great offload cleanly and raced towards the white wash to score a stunning try.
Harrison converted the try in difficult conditions. Beverley started to gain momentum now and the passing play in such strong wind was accurate and opened up gaps in the Tiger’s line. A great try followed with passing play along the left side of the pitch between Benstead, Wardill and Inman was a joy to watch and resulted in a classy team try when Harrison expertly crossed over and converted.
Jay Black, who was working tirelessly in defence, gave out an inch perfect pass to find Benstead who bulldozed through any player in his was to score out in the wing. Another great run from Bartlett followed who released the full back as he passed to Benstead to score an impressive hat trick. Harrison converted well again.
There was no stopping Beverley now as Dylan Clifford made a great break to the half way line and the ball reached Barker who ran hard and fast to score yet another clever try. The half time whistle blew at 0 – 34.
Barker started as he had finished the first half with strong ferocious running out pacing the Tigers to claim his second try of the day. As Cottingham kicked off it was Conor Egan who took the ball cleverly with safe hands and Beverley where on the attack once more. Bartlett again released Wardill who was unstoppable in his attack and scored his second try which Harrison converted. The attacks were impressive and Harry Bulleyment and James Sherwin looked dangerous every time they ran with the ball. Harry Bell made a strong drive breaking through some big players with such aggression but sadly picking up an injury which saw him take no further part in the match.
Black started a lovely passing move from one wing to the other where it reached Tom Woods who scored out wide in his first game back following a lengthy injury. Harrison kicked to add the extra points well. McGahey executed a great tackle forcing Cottingham to spill the ball and as a direct result McGahey released Wardill as he accelerated with another inch perfect pass and Wardill forced his way over the line to score his hat trick. Nathan Collinson had another strong game linking up players with his precision passes and a long ball from Harrison out wide saw Woods ready waiting to score another try.
Benstead added his fourth after another unstoppable charging run and Collinson was instrumental again after releasing a perfect ball to Woods who performed a Ryan Hall like finish to end the game 0 – 66 and complete his hat trick in style and gain a much deserved man of the match.
Final Score : Cottingham Tigers 0 Beverley Braves 66 | Reported by Sue Wardill
