The blue and golds chalked up two more league points in a clash which they had to overcome the physical intimidation of the visitors to win. Such tactics were regrettable and needless as the big crowd soaking up the sun should have really have been treat to a tight contest between two evenly matched sides.
For the record, the referee sent off 2 Bentley players and sin-binned a further 3 and sin binned 2 from Beverley. One elbow to the face in the second half on Chris Johnson saw him taken to hospital with the club awaiting news.
Beverley controlled the game in the first half as they looked a more cohesive outfit than the previous week. Lewis Poskitt, Jack Humphries, Bobby Howdle, Jack Howdle and Josh Poskitt all made welcome returns. Lewis Poskitt’s kicking game saw the hosts push back the visitors into their own half at regular intervals and so dominate territory.
One such kick on the last tackle from Poskitt hit a Bentley man. With ball from the scrum and after a few probes at the line, Bobby Howdle darted over from dummy half in the 10th minute with Josh Poskitt adding the extras. Josh Poskitt added a penalty 3 minutes later, which was one of many conceded that afternoon, to stretch the lead to 8-0.
Interference at the play the ball then led to a Bentley sin-binning. The resulting pressure then led to a long ball from Bobby Howdle sending Ben Atkin over in the corner with Poskitt converting.
Bentley kept conceding the penalties and Beverley kept on rolling forward. Off another repeat set the ball was moved swiftly to the left and the impressive Will Turnbull sent his winger Josh Poskitt over in the corner. The extras were not added this time. Gareth Burns replied with a try for the visitors in one of their few first half visits into the Beverley 20. The conversion was added and five minutes later Paul Ward dropped a goal for the visitors which appeared to be a punt rather than a drop kick.
Beverley to their task and scored another try from some smart play down the left flank. Will Turnbull’s pass sent Josh Poskitt away who in turn got an inside pass away to the supporting Billy Riby who went in beside the posts. Josh Poskitt added the extras and also a penalty goal just before the break to give Beverley a 26-7 lead.
Early in the second half the home side cam up with a handling error and Shaun Archer took advantage to score and with conversion added the scores stood at 26-13. That was to be the last points of the afternoon as the second half got ugly.
Beverley did attempt to play some fluent rugby in between the sendings off and sin-binnings. One such move to the left saw Josh Poskitt dive over with Turnbull’s final pass being ruled forward. At one stage Jack Howdle looked to have got away for a try but with the final pass being ruled forward.
Beverley’s forwards must come out of this with huge credit, including those coming off the bench, refusing to be bullied.
The final whistle brought something of a sigh of relief and two league points. The RFL disciplinary panel will certainly have a few judgements to make at their next meeting.
This Saturday Beverley visit the new league leaders Siddal Academy (kick off 2,30pm) at Exley Lane.
Final Score : Beverley ARLC 26 Bentley 13 | Reported by Nick Robinson
