The blue and golds finally got some action after a three-week lay-off and will be pleased to make it two wins from two.
This particular corner of Cheshire managed to survive the worst of the return of the ‘beast from the east’ although there were frequent snow showers throughout the game combined with a bitter wind. Their first-half performance was virtually without fault as they raced to a 28-0 lead.
The hosts made much more of a fist of it in the second half as they heeded their coach’s half-time words.
Scott Taylor commented;
“I am going to start with a negative and finish with a positive. At the break, they were there to be taken to the cleaners and we got a bit sloppy in our execution and the game became a little scrappy.”
“However, I cannot ask for much more than maximum points from two games, the first half did just show what we are capable of.”
Beverley reveled on the wide playing area never hesitating to give the ball air. The pick of the forwards was Alex Starling who proved just too strong for the home side to handle breaking the line at regular intervals.
His example was followed by youngster Bradley Kirkby the more experienced Lee Stevens, who made more than their fair share of yardage.
After an early chance went begging, which saw Lewis Poskitt’s break and pass to his supports go to ground, Tom Moor scooted over from dummy half in the 6th minute for the opening score converted by Straw.
Moments later Alex Starling’s half break and pass to Lewis Poskitt saw him draw his man to send Ben Bardle over. Steve Connolly was then instrumental in sending Alex Starling charging towards the line but he hit the somewhat large post pads but was able to slip a pass away which sent Lewis Poskitt over. Straw converted.
A 40/20 kick then gave the visitors a set in a dangerous position. After a sew surges for the line, the ball was moved to the right for Billy Riby to link up and step inside some defenders to score with extras added by Straw. Shortly after Lewis Poskitt evaded a few defenders to score again improved by Straw.
The introduction of Alex Calvert from the bench saw him go on a rampaging run just before the break but lose out to weight of numbers. The score remained 28-0 at the break.
The early moments of the second half saw another rampaging run from Calvert but with this time, Lewis Poskitt was on hand to accept a pass and complete his hat-trick wide out. Alex Starling then looked to pile on the agony with another clean break, but the hosts scrambled well and brought him to ground as he looked around for his supports.
A ball steal saw the home side gain possession close to the Beverley line, and Ryan Hickman took advantage to score and pull back some points for Woolston. They threatened more points on a dangerous attacking play, but a long ball to the left went straight into the intercepting hand of Lewis Poskitt who raced 70 meters to score his fourth.
Woolston did start to enjoy a bigger share of the game as the visitors did ease off the accelerator pedal a little. Troy Brophy and Neil Brade added tries, which were both converted and pegged the score pack to 36-18.
A dangerous stamp at the play the ball then saw a Woolston player dismissed. The visitors then exploited their numerical advantage and a passing movement to the right saw Josh Poskitt go over. The difficult second half wind meant that none of Beverley’s second half tries were converted.
A smart switch of play to the blind side by Steve Connolly almost brought a further try for Josh Poskitt,
The home side had the last word as Luke Walker added a consolation score on the stroke of full time. With extras added it finished 40-24, and the visitors returned home through the fog and blizzards on the Pennines.
Final Score: Woolston Rovers 24 Beverley ARLFC 40 | Reported by Nick Robinson
