This was the blue and golds finest performance of the season, and the win has rekindled their hopes of ending the season as Champions.
Such was the magnitude of the win coach Pat Howdle described it as his proudest moment, speaking after the match he said;
“This was my proudest moment since taking charge.” adding “We game up against a side determined to intimidate us off the park and refused to lie down and got our just rewards in the dying minutes of the game.”
The result is crucial in the title race. It now means that Beverley must win their final game of the season this weekend against Fenners. If that happens, Beverley’s vastly superior points would mean that the only realistic way that they could be denied top spot would be for Three Tuns to win all of their remaining six games.
Beverley with the wind in the first half started brightly and were on the scoreboard in the 5th minute. Jack Howdle forced his way over despite the attentions of a flurry of home defenders.
Watkin converted. The visitors continued to enjoy good territory and Watkin slotted over a penalty moments later to increase the lead. Beverley continued to defend resolutely when not in possession as the home sides pack attempted to steamroller them. The physical battle took its toll on Beverley as Ryan Watkin, Lewis Poskitt and Guy Adams all had to leave the field with injuries.
Beverley attempted to increase their advantage just before the break. Glen Anfield’s towering bomb was forced a line drop-out, but the resultant repeat set came to nothing. A slender but well deserved 8-0 lead was hung onto at the break.
Three Tuns went on the attack early in the second half, and it paid dividends with a converted try wide out three minutes into the half. Beverley were in need of a tonic at this stage, and they got it almost straight away.
The re-start kick was fumbled by Tuns immediately putting the visitors on the attack. The set ended in Glen Anfield well timed pass to the right sending Will Mail over wide out. The conversion was missed. High shots came in at regular intervals from the hosts, and it seemed amazing that they managed to keep 13 players on the field. Indeed, Beverley had a spell down to 12 men with Lee Falcus sent to the sin-bin.
Three Tuns leveled things up midway through the second half with a converted try following several sets close to the visiting line. They forged ahead in the 70th minute with a drop-goal. However, Beverley’s walking wounded refused to throw in the towel.
Their pack with Louis Hubbard, Jack Howdle and Rich Etherington all leading the charge continued to forage. Dan Ireland and Lee Stevens were also not found wanting. Their hard work was rewarded in the final minute of normal time.
The ever dangerous Glen Anfield scythed his way across field through the home sides defence to score wide out. It was Anfield’s 20th try of the season and never a more important time to score it. With Ryan Watkin off the field, Anfield could not add the extras.
Beverley had to endure seven minutes of stoppage time, mainly due to the time spent by their physio staff having to attend to numerous injuries. Man of the match was Louis Hubbard with Jack Howdle a close second.
Both forwards were inspirational on the day, and full back Alex Nightingale was as safe as houses as the home side continued to pepper him with bombs throughout the afternoon.
Chairman Graham Ostler is hoping for a big crowd at the Leisure Centre for Beverley’s final game of the season kicking off at 2pm. He said;
“The players have given us all some tremendous entertainment in this our best season in 15 years, it would be nice for us to show them our appreciation.”
Final Score: Three Tuns 13 Beverley ARLC 16 | Reported by Nick Robinson
