Not a particularly memorable afternoon’s rugby to start the new season although it did have its moments. Two Hartlepool tries just before halftime killed off Beverley hopes after they had produced a spirited performance in an evenly fought first half. The loss of some eight players during the summer had resulted in Beverley starting the season with a relatively scratch side. Luckily they have some highly promising young players emerging from the junior ranks and much may depend this season on how well these young players adapt to senior rugby as they are introduced into the side. One thing for sure is that it is not going to be an easy season in North East One.
Playing against the wind Hartlepool had a chance to take the lead after three minutes but fly half Gavin Painter was well wide with a long range penalty attempt. At the other end Phil Duboulay was more successful with a simple kick from in front of the posts after Beverley had made their first foray into the visitors’ 22. They immediately almost increased their lead when number eight Stuart Nel broke powerfully through the middle only to run out of support. Several times they came close to scoring, on one occasion Dave Brant knocking on with the line at his mercy.
Painter and Duboulay exchanged penalties as a rather scrappy first half drew to a close. It looked odds on that Beverley would turn round with a narrow lead. Then in the space of five minutes just before the break the match was effectively won and lost. A cleverly worked Hartlepool move down the left ended with lock Chris Atkins speeding clear down the touchline for a try in the corner. Painter was wide with the conversion but within minutes Hartlepool were handed a second and conclusive try. A wild pass hurled at Nel rebounded off the big number eight straight into the hands of Hartlepool flanker Liam Bailey who had an easy run to the posts from halfway for a converted try.
Turning round 15-6 down Beverley were now up against a strong wind and facing a two score deficit. Unsurprisingly they never really got back into it and seldom managed to get out of their own half. A yellow card for Duboulay, their key player, for an illegal tackle did not help. Possession was frequently being lost at the breakdown and they had their work cut out to hold their own in the scrums. Too often it was left to the outstanding Lewis Starbuck to mop up when things went wrong. None the less Beverley defended their line heroically against relentless Hartlepool attacking until the pressure eventually told.
There were encouraging aspects for Beverley. Two of their brightest young prospects, Luke Hazell at full back and Harrison Mayou on the wing had excellent games. It was a pity we did not see them with the ball in their hands more often. Phil Wood showed plenty of spirit on the other wing and flanker Jack Bunn put himself about to good effect until he was somewhat surprisingly substituted. The lineout worked splendidly all afternoon with only one ball lost on their own throw, albeit it was expensive with Bailey stealing the ball at the tail and romping clear for a third Hartlepool try.
Beverley’s game rather fell away as the pressure mounted in the second half. All afternoon Hartlepool had shown the sharper edge in attack despite some poor handling and a well worked move sent Painter over for a fourth try which he converted himself. Beverley fought hard to break out of their own 22 but they could make little headway. In the dying minutes they did put together some promising patches of play although the Hartlepool line was seldom threatened. A rather disappointing day ended with Beverley losing possession after a promising build-up on halfway and Hartlepool wing Scott Butcher racing away down the touchline for a final converted try.
Final Score: Beverley RUFC 6 West Hartlepool 34 | Reported by John Nursey
