Beverley Braves under 11s pulled together to secure their first win of the season and progress to the quarter finals of the Admiral of the Humber cup with a 8-14 win at Myton Warriors.
After a challenge from the coaches to work for each other following a disappointing second half in their previous game, the Braves responded with a team effort where everyone in a blue and yellow shirt played a part.
A great example of this effort came from Tom Cohen and Tom Colley, the former injured early in the game after a brave tackle and the latter replacing his team-mate and having his best ever game for the Braves with numerous metres gained with ball in hand and some great tackles.
Similar comments could be put forward for all the team with Oliver Loney and Ethan Rowbotham again topping the tackle count, but ably supported in this effort by Tom Marr and Matthew Hutchinson and when they entered the fray in the second half, Harry Newton and Will Sanford.
The Braves took the lead early in the game when a passing movement to the left ended with George Lees who stepped back to his right before finding space to race down the wing and score in the corner.
Myton responded well and despite playing against the wind worked the ball up field before crashing over on the left to tie the scores at 4all. Both sets of forwards battled it out in the middle with George Bennett-Tere causing the home side problems with his strong runs and William Wallis coming up from full-back to join the line and it would only be a matter of time before Beverley found a gap again.
With the ball moved left again it was Lees who again stepped right before charging through the middle to score under the sticks. With the extras added by Marcus Walker the Braves had a 10-4 lead which remained the score at half-time.
The Braves have faded away in the second half in their previous games this season so wary of this they came out fired up for the second half, Ryan Deane putting in numerous tackles at centre and Lewis Egan prompting with the ball in hand and tackling hard in defence. Rory Garbutt made a promising debut on the left dealing well with a Myton kick through whilst on the opposite wing William Kirkup defended well.
Myton however were not going to lay down and go out of the cup and with seven minutes remaining their pressure paid off with a non converted try which meant the Braves playing against the wind now had a slender 10-8 lead to hang on to.
With Joseph Dennis watching his team-mates from the touchline after not feeling well after kick off the Braves had to really work hard for each other. Dylan English and Oliver Gresswell played their part in what was to be an outstanding team display but the final few minutes showed how much the Braves wanted to win the game.
Myton had back to back sets of six on the Braves line and the defence was immense with Rowbotham, Wallis, Bennett-Tere and Loney, amongst others, putting in tackle after tackle. With seconds remaining the Braves finally grabbed possession and on the second tackle a tenacious run from Walker took the ball up to the forty metre line.
A quick play the ball with the Warriors defence still coming back enabled Lees to race down the right wing again securing not only his hat-trick but also the man of the match award.
A great game of rugby league with a wonderful contribution from both sides came to an end as the conversion attempt from wide out was missed, however the result was secure and the Braves now progress to the next round.
Final Score : Myton Warriors 8, Braves 14