Beverley rounded off their league campaign in fine style to end the season twenty points clear at the top of North One East. In the twenty six games played they suffered only two defeats and scored 1229 points at an average of 47 points per game.
It is a remarkable achievement. Today on a firm pitch in the spring sunshine Old Crossleyans contributed to a lively and enjoyable end of season romp. They played some fast entertaining rugby and probably felt that twelve points was a disappointing return for eighty minutes of sustained endeavour. Their problem was that like most sides this season they simply could not overcome a sound Beverley defence or match the pace of the Beverley backline. Crossleyans had far more possession and territory than Beverley all afternoon but they could never produce the same menace that Beverley possessed with the ball in their hands.
Crossleyans had nearly all the early play and moved the ball swiftly about in their backs but it was Beverley who went ahead after quarter of an hour when David Worrall won a line-out ball on a Crossleyans throw and Nathan Sharpe took an inside pass to race over from the 22. Crossleyans continued to have the better of the play but they missed several good opportunities including a straightforward penalty attempt by scum half Chris Vine. Beverley on the other hand were less profligate with their possession and invariably made it tell. Richard Bussey broke through to put Chris Infield over and Nathan Sharpe crossed for a third try on the stroke of halftime. With Phil Duboulay having added two conversions Beverley turned round 19-0 up.
The second half followed a similar pattern with plenty of Crossleyan attacking and plenty of Beverley scoring at the other end. Sharpe burst away from a scrum five metres from his own line setting up a move which ended with Tomasi Tanumi sprinting in from halfway. Worrall then touched down when the pack drove to the line from a penalty line-out putting Beverley 31-0 ahead. Realistically it was all over for Crossleyans but they continued to throw everything into attack. Another break by Sharpe set up a further Beverley try for Lee Birch who raced down the touchline before leaving the full back clutching at thin air as he glided inside to the posts.
At last Crossleyans did get some reward for their ambition. An attack down their right ended with the ball being transferred across field to winger Will Clayton who had an easy run in at the corner. Vine added the conversion but by then it was all a bit academic and within two minutes Beverley had added another try of their own through Sharpe. Sharpe had played like a man possessed all afternoon at number eight. The speed at which he galloped through the Crossleyan defence from halfway for his third try was reminiscent of the young man who arrived at the club over eight years ago. He was the game’s outstanding player and it is good to see him back to full fitness.
At 45-7 Beverley were still not done. Sam Atiola raced clear down the right to put Infield over for his second try and three minutes later Duboulay made a lovely break to set up a try for Junior Tupai. Duboulay was successful with seven of his nine conversion attempts. With five minutes left winger Billy Hammond got over for a second Crossleyans try which at least got them deservedly into double figures.
It was a fine and enjoyable end to the season for Beverley. An injury to Worrall late on was a disappointment on what may, but hopefully will not, be his last appearance. The final stages of the match were enlivened by an impressive twenty minute cameo from Goran Jelencic back in action after a lengthy injury. After the game Mr. Steve Watson, Yorkshire RFU President, presented the Championship Trophy to club captain Junior Tupai to bring to a close a quite remarkable season for Beverley.
Final Score : Beverley RUFC 59 Old Crossleyans 12 | Reported by John Nursey
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