Despite a slow start which saw them go 6 nil down the Beverley Braves under 11s eventually ran out convincing winners by 32-6 against Lambwath Lions.
It was a strong start from the Lions that saw them force an error and gain a second set of six before the Braves had even touched the ball.
The Lions continued pressure eventually paid off with a great 60 metre run ending with a converted try under the posts.
This stung the Braves into action, and they tightened up defensively and looked more dangerous in attack with William Wallis the first to find a gap, his great break setting up the position for Ryan Deane to force his way over from acting half back.
Harry Newton had already gone close with a cheeky run down the left, only to be bundled into touch inches short and George Bennett-Tere was also unlucky not to secure a try when reaching out close to the line.
It was not long before the Braves were on the score sheet again, however, when they played a set move which came off perfectly – Ethan Rowbotham putting the ball back inside for Wallis to weave his way over. It was now 8-6 and Beverley were starting to click.
Henry Hughes crashed over after Tom Marr slipped the ball to him after a scoot from acting half-back, and Rory Garbutt scored his first points for the Braves with the conversion. Defensively the Braves had got stronger with Oliver Loney once again topping the tackle count closely followed by Marcus Walker whilst Tom Colley should get a special mention with a good tackle stopping a Lions break in its tracks down their left wing.
14-6 at half-time gave the opportunity to change a few players around with Joseph Dennis putting in a great stint defensively and George Lees making sure nothing got past him on the Braves left wing. On the right William Kirkup had limited chances whilst Oliver Gresswell and Tom Cohen made a sound contribution.
The second half started well with a great run from Dylan English from full back putting the Braves immediately on the attack.
From this position, Rowbotham put in a weaving run to score under the sticks.
Walker’s conversion made it 20-6. The Braves were now playing some great rugby and off-loading well; the next two tries illustrated this.
Lewis Egan broke from the scrum and fed the supporting Walker, who outpaced the cover to score and confirm his man of the match award.
Marr’s conversion made it 26-6. Matthew Hutchinson then charged through the middle before slipping the ball to fellow prop Hughes to crash over and with Garbutt’s second conversion the scoring was complete at 32-6 and a hard-earned victory for the Braves was confirmed.
