The blue and golds were edged out in this tight contest on the opening day of the league season. It was a quality game in which the home side’s game management was slightly the better of the two sides.
Also the hosts were allowed to make far too many breaks up the middle for Beverley to give themselves a chance of winning.
Pat Howdle commented;
“We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we just needed to be a little smarter if we were come away with anything.”
East’s were first on the scoreboard as they converted their early pressure. A handling movement in the 10th minute sent their left winger Steve Mountain over for a try that was converted.
Beverley were soon countering, and one of Lewis Poskitt’s kicks into the in-goal area forced a line drop-out. In the resulting set the ball was moved out wide to send Alex Calvert over in the corner for Josh Poskitt to convert. Beverley began to grow in confidence, and more pressure ended in Bobby Howdle chipping ahead to regather then round the full back to score. Josh Poskitt converted for a 12-6 lead.
Beverley had more opportunities to extend their lead. A break down the left flank by Josh Poskitt saw him kick ahead forcing a chasing East’s defender to kick the ball dead for a line drop-out. The repeat set produced no points and there was no further scoring before the break.
Very early in the second half a break from deep inside their own half by Easts up the middle saw their half back Jamie Carrick sprint away and hold off the chasing cover to score. The extras were added, but the visitors responded quickly. Easts lost possession from the restart kick. Beverley asked a number of questions in the ensuing set which ended in Alex Calvert avoiding the attentions of several defenders to score wide out. The extras could not be added.
After some more pressure from Easts Beverley appeared to be scrambling well in defence but were having to do a little too much. They were unable to stop Luke Whybrow leveling the scores with an unconverted try in 55th minute.
Moments later, more Easts pressure saw a towering bomb cause some confusion in the Beverley ranks as it was fumbled then Beverley were penalised for offside in front of their own posts. The penalty was converted to give the home side an 18-16 lead. Another towering bomb by Easts caused a mix-up in defence, and Sean Painter pounced to score and with extras added the game was slipping away from the visitors at 24-16.
However, Beverley did regain possession from the re-start kick, and Jack Howdle almost forced his way over but was held up over the line. The ball was then moved wide for Josh Poskitt to force his way over in the corner. The conversion was missed but there was a glimmer of hope for Beverley.
With a final throw of the dice the ball was move wide in their own 20 by Beverley to send Josh Poskitt momentarily in the clear but as the cover closed in he kicked ahead but the ball went into touch, and a chance went begging.
Alex Calvert took the supporters/committee man of the match with Bobby Howdle getting the man of the match vote from the opposing team’s coaching staff.
There is no first-team game this Saturday, but the club are looking to organise an ‘A’ team friendly either home or away.
Final Score : East Hull 24 Beverley ARLC 20 | Reported by Nick Robinson
