After the bitter taste of cup final defeat Beverley Braves wanted to cement their place at the top of the league with a win over their nearest rivals Hull Isberg.
The writing was on the cards with the first kick on cup final day but today, in blistering heat, the Braves first tackle was strong and hard and showed that they had returned to their usual tough game plan.
The match from the off was ferocious and Isberg attacked with confidence and put pressure on the Beverley line. The Braves had to hold tight, and captain James McGahey led from the front with such effective tackling and control.
Will Johnson looked totally focused and determined to bury the memories of recent encounters with blistering attacking runs and bruising defensive tackles. Isberg maintained the pressure for the first ten minutes so Beverley had to hold their composure and make their defence tight.
Harry Bulleyment broke the line with every drive dragging players with each step and Johnson forced the knock on with a crunching tackle. Directly from this error Beverley made the visitors pay with a superb try as Johnson charged and slipped a stunning pass to winger James Sherwin who accelerated low and fast to the corner beating players to make the first score of the match and a superb try.
This was just what Beverley needed and the crowd witnessed their growing confidence. Harry Bell was having a brilliant game before sadly having to leave with a shoulder injury and Jay Black tackled time and time again above his weight.
Beverley then had two penalties in a row against them and this eased the pressure that was building. Isberg used this possession to the best effect and scored a neat try under the sticks and converted to ease them two points into the lead. The Braves dug deep and massive hits from Keenan Barker floored the attackers.
Joe Wardill made three stunning tackles in a row to prevent them making further yards and Harry Inman made a great break on the attack stealing sixty yards to get Beverley back into a more dominant position. The half time whistle blew and although behind 4 – 6 the crowd knew the game was far from over.
With the temperature now in the mid twenties and rising but this was not evident in the pace of the match as the second half started with the same intensity of the first. Callum Officer had yet another stunning game, solid as a rock in the middle and Connor Davies, after recently returned from injury, had his best defensive performance to date in a Braves shirt.
The Braves were gaining momentum and were rewarded through a fantastic move from another player back from a lengthy injury Owen Harrison. He side stepped his wave towards the line weaving through Isberg defensive line before offloading at the last minute to a supporting Bulleyment who bull dozed over a for a brilliant try.
The Braves had the lead and Harrison added the two points cleanly. The excitement grew in the crowd but a clever kick from the off by Isberg saw that the Braves were short on the wing as a substitution was being made. They had the possession again close to Beverley’s line and despite all the hard work made minutes before Isberg scored under the posts with a great try. The character of Beverley was put under question as the conversion was kicked successfully putting the visitors back in the lead.
The crowd could see today though a stronger side that were not going to give up. Keegan Bartlett made some neat passes from the floor at hooker and Conor Egan made a crucial tackle to show the opposition that the game was far from over. Darren Benstead had to reluctantly come off with concussion after having another strong, passionate game at second row. New signing Danny Naldrett came on to replace him in his first game for the club and made, in the words of the coach, the best debut he had ever seen as he powered through defenders making impressive yards.
Isberg are a talented side and they broke with a great interception only to be stopped by Sherwin with a try saving tackle. The atmosphere was tense as Isberg started to attack but Harrison made a stunning interception to put Beverley back in charge.
The following attack was to prove the match winner as the players completed their set with Harrison kicking a fantastic high kick across field which Johnson expertly plucked out of the air under pressure and placed the ball firmly down for the winning try.
Harrison converted a difficult kick to finish the game 16 – 12 to the Braves. A stunning match to watch in intense heat and Beverley remain undefeated in the league. Man of the match deservedly went to Will Johnson who grows stronger every week.
Final Score: Beverley Braves 16 Hull Isberg 16 | Reported by Sue Wardill
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