After a great performance last week by the Beverley Braves, losing by just four points the Beverley Braves under 13s lost by the same margin away to East Hull in another great match. Once again, there was a huge effort from all 17 on the Braves side and perhaps with a little more luck they might have secured the victory.
On a damp morning, Easts kicked off and the Braves defensive effort started from there. Forwards Tom Cohen, George Bennett-Teare and Henry Hughes led the line well showing a great example for their new team- mates Dan Tree and Will Swainston to follow, which they certainly did.
Beverley had good possession as well and with Tree and Swainston punching holes in the East Hull defence, they made good progress up the field allowing halves Lewis Egan and Marcus Walker the space to get the opposition on the back foot. Beverley completed their first five sets of six, which put them in a dominant position on the field, but they could not turn this into points and pretty much against the run of play East Hull made a break down the Braves right to score and make it 4-0.
It was more of the same from the Braves. However, and when Walker’s kick was fumbled by an Easts player Archie Murdoch raced in to scoop up the ball. On the back of this field position, the ball found it’s way out right and the strong running Harry Vorwerg powered his way over for the try. Jack Turner coolly stroked over the extras, and the Braves were in the lead for the first time.
This lead needed to be protected, and it is the little things that the players do, which make all the difference. Ben Hodder made some crucial tackles at the back, and William Kirkup kept his head preventing his team-mate getting pushed into touch in a vulnerable position.
Hughes put in a huge hit to dislodge the ball and gain possession and Murdoch worked hard in defence as well. All this was done despite the loss of William Wallis early in the game, injured after putting in a crunching tackle. Adam Ramsden took his place in the centre and did not look out of place keeping a watchful eye on his opposite number, making ten tackles in the process.
4-6 it was at half-time but Easts were the first to score 5 minutes in, finding some holes in the Braves defence to score next to the sticks and not long after it was 14-6.
The Braves have never been a team for giving up easily and when Walker chipped the kickoff, 10 metres and regained possession, despite the attentions of the East Hull defence, the momentum swung back to Beverley, the field position allowing Tree to score. 14-10 with eight minutes to go, and it was time for some scrambling defence, and some big tackles from both sides. Oliver Gresswell and Josh Pearson, both on at half-time worked hard and Nathan Dixon playing only his second game did well despite being out of position on the wing.
Swainston and Tree continued to drive the ball up hard whilst Vorwerg took every opportunity to run the ball up from acting half back. It was not to be, however, and that is how the score ended. Swainston man of the match, but pushed close by Hughes and Vorwerg.
Final Score: East Hull 16 Beverley Braves 10
