Beverley Braves U12s suffered a second home defeat in successive weeks despite putting in decent performances on each occasion.
It was the Braves who played the better football and started strongly with a lovely looping Joe McCabe pass finding the ever impressive Owen Miller who went over on the left edge only for the try to be disallowed due to a stray foot dead in goal.
Good defence from the likes of Cain Robb and Adam Greenwood meant Wyke were pushed back and turned over possession in their own half and this time the Braves made it count, with nice ball work at the line Miller once again found space on the left, transferred the ball from right to left, fended off 2 would be defenders and scored 20m to the left of the posts but was unable to convert his own try. 4-0
Despite dominating the early stages it was Wyke who scored next against the run of play with two very quick tries from the speedy full back before half time and one immediately after the oranges which really rocked Beverley to lead 4-18 with ten minutes to go.
The Braves then regained some composure and rallied with winger Bryan Usher showing a real turn of pace chasing down a delightful Robb kick to score in the corner with Miller turning it into 6 from the right touchline 10-18.
Man of the match scrum half McCabe slotted in at hooker for a time and was next to score after building some pressure, a show and go from acting half and went over untouched under the posts for his fifth try in six games, Mr Miller made easy work of the conversion 16-18
A braves error from the kick off derailed the come back somewhat and some smart play from Wyke saw them snap a drop goal to push their slender lead out to three with two minutes to go.
One final push saw Beverley pile down field after good meters from Eddy Pearson, Josh Hamlyn and Robb but in the end the clock and the sheer numbers of uncharacteristic unforced errors meant that, for today at least it was Wyke who went home with the spoils but with hard work it is only a matter of time before Beverley turn small defeats into big victories.
Coach Craig Collins responded post match by quoting the famous WW2 US General Douglas MacArthur saying;
“Be proud and unbending in honest defeat, humble and gracious in victory. We came through it and we shall return.”
Final Score: Beverley Braves 16 Hull Wyke 19
