Beverley Braves and Hull All Blacks under 13’s served up a superb contest in this first round Vice Presidents Cup game.
The All Blacks were coming into the game on the back of a heavy defeat whilst the Braves had pulled out of their league game the previous week due to lack of numbers.
This week with two back from injury the Braves were able to muster a starting 13, but with no substitutes it was going to be tough in the heat of a sunny Sunday morning.
It was clear from the first few sets that this was going to be a close game. Both teams found gaps and made breaks but it was defences on top throughout the first half.
William Wallis was the first to make a break for Beverley and soon after Ben Hodder brought the ball back up field well after fielding an All Blacks kick.
Hull All Braves could not take advantage of great field possession after a Marcus Walker kick on the sixth tackle was fumbled by All Blacks and the visitors soon made their way up field and twice were held up over the line – a great example of the tenacious defensive effort put in by the Braves with second rows Oliver Gresswell and Joseph Dennis making over thirty tackles between them during the game.
With the first half almost over prop Henry Hughes, who had a superb game taking the ball up strongly, made a devastating break, on the back of that Wallis found a gap but also pulled down by some great All Blacks defence.
However the field position was a good one and Ethan Rowbotham, who also had a great game raced across field before straightening up to score in the right hand corner. Walker stepped up to convert from the touchline to make it 6nil at half-time.
Beverley were looking to score first in the second half but the game once again became an arm wrestle with defences well on top. Tom Cohen worked hard to take the ball up the field on the back of good distribution from hooker Jack Turner.
Ewan Morton’s contribution from full back was timely dealing with several kicks and joining the defensive line when required whilst Ryan Deane was Mr Reliable, once again playing out of position in the centre but taking the line on with the ball in hand.
The hard work that Beverley put in was typified by scrum half Lewis Egan, the smallest player on the field he was battered and bruised by the end of the game taking the line on time and time again and regularly tackling players twice his size.
Defensive pressure led to the All Blacks losing possession 30 metres out from their own line William Kirkup hacked through but failed to pick up the difficult bouncing ball cleanly, a try would have capped a fine game for Kirkup but it was still 6nil and number of half chances went begging before All Blacks moved up field after a series of errors and penalties given away by Beverley.
This pressure finally told and the Hull side scored in the right hand corner, the second touchline conversion of the day making it 6 all with just five minutes to go.
The Braves reaction was brilliant working their way up field. Dennis made a good break, Hughes took it up again with skill and aggression and Morton made good ground only to be stopped by a heavy, but fair, tackle. With Morton having to leave the field and no substitutes the Braves were down to twelve and needing to score to win the cup tie.
Turner got the ball out to Walker who with two All Blacks chasing him down slotted over the drop goal – with the help of the cross bar – to make it 7-6.
A great kick off gave the All Blacks possession from the resulting scrum and they then set up for a drop goal which sailed agonisingly wide.
A steady last set from the Braves ran the clock down and secured the victory – Rowbotham, Hughes and Walker were all in the running for the man of the match award after great performances, with Walker wining it for the match winning drop goal.
Credit to the All Blacks, no team deserved to lose the game and both teams will gain great confidence from their performance.
