Not a lot to say about this match as a lacklustre performance from a surprisingly low key Beverley RUFC side resulted in them being well beaten by an impressive looking Scarborough outfit.
Principally, the difference between the sides on the day was that Scarborough’s defence was superb all match but Beverley’s was, uncharacteristically, poor.
On a freezing cold day Scarborough took an early lead when Beverley conceded their customary 3 minute penalty which struck an upright and rebounded into the path of Scarborough No.8 Ben Martin who crossed unopposed for a try which centre Tom Ratcliffe
Converted (7-0). Three minutes later another Scarborough penalty was converted by Tom Ratcliffe to make it 10-0.
Beverley at last managed to get hold of the ball and mounted a series of attacks moving the ball about very smartly but Scarborough’s tackling was superb and managed to repel the Beavers’ runners. Eventually a long clearance kick moved play back to the Beverley 22 and after 25 minutes Scarborough’s powerful forwards set up a maul from which No8 Martin scored his second try which was converted by Tom Ratcliffe (17-0).
Things were beginning to look ominous for Beverley as they were becoming almost completely dominated in the scrum and were rarely able to secure any lineout ball. Sure enough, after 37 minutes another missed tackle let in James Perrett (22-0).
Again poor tackling by Beverley resulted in an early second half score for Scarborough’s No 6 Aaron Wilson which was converted by Tom Ratcliffe (29-0) and a bonus point. Wilson had been Scarborough’s stand out forward in the first half and it came as some relief to Beverley when he was sin binned after 63 minutes.
Beverley took advantage of the man shortage 3 minutes later when Dale Hodgson scored their first try which Phil Duboulay converted (29-7). However, inevitably Scarborough came back and, after 78 minutes flanker Drew Govier sliced through the Beverley defence to score an excellent try for Tom Ratcliffe to convert (36-7).
In the final play of the match Luke Hazell scored a consolation try in the corner (36-12) to bring a difficult afternoon for the Beavers to an end. Beverley seem to have an aversion to Silver Royd. This match followed a similar pattern to that of last season when Scarborough lowered the Beavers’ colours in the same manner (and by a similar score 32-10). It must be the sea air!
Next week Beverley embark on their longest journey across to North Ribblesdale. Let’s hope they put this performance behind them.
