This trip to the defending Yorkshire champions was always going to be a tough ask on the opening day of the league campaign.
However, there remains much to be positive about the season ahead and if the blue and golds can just cut out the silly handling errors and penalties, they do not have much to fear.
Beverley ARLC played possibly the more attractive rugby registering some well worked tries as the ball was swept sweetly to the flanks.
But almost every time possession was spilled early in the tackle count or the hosts got a repeat set they managed to score.
Sharlston had size and strength seemingly in all positions across the park which they used to good effect to sap the visitor’s energy. Captain Tom Radley said;
“I am pleased, we showed character and did not crumble when we went 18 points down in the second half but yes always disappointed to not get the league points.”
Beverley were under pressure straight away in this encounter when their kickoff went out on the full.
The resulting set and pressure saw their left winger slide in at the corner. Then ten minutes into the game as Beverley warmed to the task. They forced a line drop out after a good set inside the home 20.
This led to a tricky run down the left flank by Josh Poskitt, who returned an inside pass to Craig Morfitt, who went in behind the posts for Poskitt to convert and give Beverley a 6-4 lead.
The lead was short-lived as five minutes later Beverley gave away the ball for the home side to punish the error in the next set. Beverley then regained possession from the kick off then got themselves in a dangerous position only to concede a penalty for backchat. Sharlston again worked their way up-field to again score.
This time the hosts made an error fumbling the re-start kick. After Beverley asked a lot of questions of the hosts, swinging the ball across to both flanks aided by a couple of penalties for high shots, they pulled back a try.
Jack Howdle’s long ball found Ryan Watkin lurking who did well to avoid a flurry of defenders and score wide out. However, moments later, the visitors were penalized for crossing when in a dangerous attacking position. Yet again the resulting set saw the home side punish a mistake with a try which was converted.
Undeterred the blue and gold battled on. Some strong defending by Beverley saw the home side lose the ball close to their own line.
After several attempts to score with some expansive play, Lewis Poskitt decided to take the opposition on and score under the posts. The extras were added by brother Josh to reduce the arrears to 22-16 at the break.
There was early pressure from the visitors in the second half. One foray ended with Tom Radley going close but was unlucky to be held up over the line. Another attack saw Josh Poskitt get over the line but was penalized for a double movement.
Having absorbed the onslaught a well worked try by the home side saw the ball moved wide for their full back to back up on the inside and score. They quickly added another converted score to lead 34-16 and seemingly in command.
Again Beverley refused to buckle. A long ball from Ryan Watkin fed Louis Hubbard, who did well to evade the clutches of a least three defenders to score an impressive try on his return to the side. Poskitt tacked on the extras, and the momentum continued straight from the re-start kick. Aided by a penalty.
They worked up-field and some expansive play ended with Billy Riby joining the line to send Josh Poskitt over wide out. Poskitt added the difficult conversion, and it was all to play for at 34-28 with 13 minutes still on the clock. However, just as Beverley were looking dangerous with the ball in hand they were penalized for crossing and in a familiar tale all afternoon long the hosts scored from the resulting set. They added a further converted try to lead 46-28 with 8 minutes to go.
Still the visitors would not lie down. Some crisp handling to the right saw the returning Steve Connolly do well to force his way over wide out. The extras could not be added but as full time fast approached fast hands to the left saw Josh Poskitt score his second. Poskitt could not add the extras but was voted the man of the match for his two tries, and an assist.
Coaches Howdle and Taylor agreed that there was much to build on this season, but lessons must be learned and in this division mistakes cost points. Beverley are this Saturday at home to York Acorn ‘A’ in what will be a dress rehearsal for when the two sides meet in the 40/20 cup final next month. Kick-off is 2.30pm.
Final Score: Sharlston Rovers 46 Beverley ARLC 36 | Reported by Nick Robinson
