This was always going to be a tough cup match for the Beverley Braves U16s against a very strong Illingworth side from the premier division.
Beverley started really well but points were soon scored by the visiting side as a high kick was spilled and the ball was picked up by the chaser who passed and scored. The Braves were undeterred and fought back with clinical runs.
Nathan Collinson, 10 metres out, picked up the play of the ball and brilliantly stepped the marker and scooted through a gap to score a fantastic individual try. Stand in kicker Joe Wardill added the two and Beverley were in front. Bailey Clark made some outstanding tackles to keep the big Illingworth runners at bay but it was not long before they scored two tries to make the half time score 6 – 16.
Decisions were not going Beverley’s way and the frustration was evident. Conditions were wet and mistakes were made on both sides. Dylan Clifford made excellent defensive tackles again and again to keep Beverley firmly in the game but Illingworth were gaining momentum as they kept putting pressure on the Braves line.
Newcomer Charlie McCusker made impressive yards to ease the pressure and Harry Bell had a stunning game and stood up to players twice his side making yards in attack and stopping run after run with his brave defensive tackles. Illingworth were putting down the foundations for another try when second row Joe Mankel intercepted in his own half and accelerated away from all chasers with outstanding pace to score an excellent try.
Spirits lifted Beverley fought hard and were rewarded when a great last minute off load saw Harry Bell find a gap and use all his pace and strength to score out wide and take Beverley within two points. Illingworth retaliated within minutes though to take the wind out of Beverley’s sails and quash the hopes when a last minute kick rebounded from a Braves player straight into the hands of Illingworth to cross over the white wash and with time running out Beverley’s heads went down and the visitors ran in two more tries.
Beverley until the last 10 mins could have taken the game. Man of the match went again to Dylan Clifford for his outstanding work rate and unrelenting tackles.
Final Score: Beverley Braves 14 Illingworth 32 | Reported by Sue Wardill
