On Sunday 13th October, Beverley RUFC Beavers U11 rugby team travelled to Wortley, Sheffield for their second fixture of the season.
On a wet and windy day, the team put in what was probably their best ever performance.
The match started with Beverley proving that their winning ways the week before were not a fluke. Driving rucks and mauls denied the opposition possession for most of the game and enabled Beverley to build a strong platform.
The Beverley pack fought hard throughout the match with Billy Coughlin, in particular, making an outstanding contribution, supported well by Alex Crockett and Oliver Cornelius at the breakdowns, Cornelius, in particular, providing strength and power to the Beverley drives. Jack Dixon put in a sterling effort with some consistent tackling.
Keith Holiday worked effectively in the line outs, providing some superb ball for scrum half Ethan Foster whose contribution was a series of quick and decisive balls that gave the backs room to manoeuvre. Harvey Robson had an excellent day at fly-half providing a good ball for his backs to exploit.
Inside centre Cameron Lawley and full back Tom Barnard played with aplomb, with a number of surging runs through the middle, distributing the ball well to the wing. Huw Adams at outside centre made a number ofquick runs to put the defence at sixes and sevens, whilst Harry Gunn and Oliver Spink provided consistent support and cover on the wings. Both Barnard and Jack Dixon put in a sterling effort tackling everything that moved.
The first try came soon after the kick off. The forwards produced a number of rumbling runs with both Adams and Barnard taking the ball up the centre effectively. From a tight ruck in the left-hand corner, Dixon managed to pick and drive, positioning his body low to the ground to open the scoring.
The second score could not have been more different. A concerted effort from Wortley saw them camped on the Beverley try line but strong tackling from the entire team and clean, efficient mauling from the Beverley pack saw the threat repulsed.
From a lovely back move orchestrated by Robson, the ball was fed wide for Gunn, who had spotted the opportunity and switched across from the left wing, to dive over and put the visitors 10-0 up. A sterling first-half performance was rounded off when Dixon managed to jink his way through for a second try.
The second half started as the first had finished with Beverley in the ascendency. Once again, fantastic work by the forwards and deep penetrating runs by the backs opened up the defence for Robson to go over after a fine individual break, only to be denied by the referee for a forward pass. Undeterred, Beverley rallied and showed what they are made of.
Once again, fine work behind the backs was rounded off by Adams coming on a late run on a lovely angle to slice through the defence for the fourth try. It looked as though a fifth was in the offing when Barnard produced a display of fancy footwork to go clear over the line. Unfortunately, once again, a pass was deemed to have been forward and the try was disallowed.
But this did not stop Beverley, who finished the game in style with a penetrating run and a well-timed pass from Barnard feeding Gunn, who had a clear overlap into the left corner.
If Beverley can continue to improve as they have done recently, then this is a team with winning ways. The whole performance was excellent and shows what commitment and fine coaching can achieve. Finally, the man of the match trophy went to Billy Coughlin and was thoroughly well deserved although, once again, the result was a notable for a magnificent team effort.
If you are interested in joining the Beverley RUFC Under 11s, please contact either Steve Barnard (07941 463929) or Phil Crockett (07730 624595), we train at Beaver Park on a Wednesday evening 6.30pm and play matches on Sunday morning
