This was the blue and golds most disappointing performance of the season so far. Beverley never really found any rhythm at all until they rallied in the last 15 minutes to make the score a little more respectable.
York played much the smarter rugby enabling them to control field position for most of the game. By contrast whenever Beverley got in a promising position where they could put some pressure on the opposition line, they seemed to lose the ball early in the tackle count or get dragged into touch.
There were notable absentees in leading try-scorer Jack Humphries, Steve Connolly, Sam Coleman and Bobby Howdle but the visitors were still able to field a capable side. Indeed the club was pleased to see the return of an old boy in the shape of Tom Radley after a long and successful spell at West Hull, which saw him part of a side which won almost every trophy possible in the amateur game.
Still at only 31 there remains a lot of rugby in him. Radley took his place in the side at prop, and Joe Morley was switched to loose forward to cover for Humphries. Rich Etherington was recalled to the bench following a long absence.
Acorn side took the lead in the 7th minute. They forced a line drop-out and went over for a try from close range in the next set. Beverley were quick to reply when Acorn lost the ball close to their own line. The resulting set saw Jack Howdle force his way over too wide out for Anfield to add the extras.
They failed to build on this and when conceding a couple of penalties in quick succession the home side went over for a converted try. For most of the half Beverley had to defend a number of sets close to their own line and did well to keep their opponents out until half-time. Matt Newton probably went closest to scoring for the visitors, when on one of Beverley’s rare attacks, a sweeping move to the left saw him sprint away but was pulled up with the line beckoning.
In the the opening 25 minutes of the second half saw the home side take control. They posted four converted tries to race to a 34-4 lead. Beverley were looking down the barrel of a heavy defeat, but they showed spirit and rallied in the final 15 minutes.
Beverley managed to work their way up-field aided by some penalties and good set in the opposing 20 saw the ball shipped to the right for Craig Hancock to score wide out. Shortly after some more enterprising rugby saw Glen Anfield’s long ball open up the hosts.
Tom Shires took the ball and used that neat sidestep to cut inside and score. Anfield this time added the extras. It was all a bit late but Beverley were pressing were pressing for more points with the final whistle approaching.
Commenting on Beverley’s heaviest defeat of the season, Pat Howdle said;
“At 65 minutes it would have been very easy to just roll over but we showed character in the last 15 minutes, and I like that.”
This Saturday Beverley are at home to Oulton Raiders ‘A’ kicking off at 2.30pm at the Beverley Leisure Centre. Club officials are still to find out what will happen with the other outstanding fixture which is away to Oulton Raiders ‘A’.
This Saturday is the official final week of the regular season before the play-offs.
Final Score: York Acorn ‘A’ 34 Beverley ARLC 14 | Reported by Nick Robinson