There was no shortage of effort skill and energy in this Beverley performance but it is fair to say that they were out out-muscled by a bulkier pack.
The visitors were again prepared to throw the ball around but it did often result in them turning the ball over early in the tackle count. As a result, Beverley had to defend far too many sets, especially close to their own line which was energy sapping.
The match was summed up by Head Coach Sam French ”We need to work towards a full 80 minutes, 5 times we had good ball and scored 4 times. We just need to earn the right and we will post points.”
Beverley got off to a dream start when Moor spilled possession on the second play of the game. In the next set. Josh Hamlyn grabbed the opportunity to dart from the dummy half and touch down. Josh Poskitt converted.
For the rest of the half, the home side dominated possession and territory and the penalty count also went in their favour. An inevitable consequence was points in their favour. Finley Bruce, George Croisdale and James Samme all crossed for tries with one of them converted by Bradley Foster. Sam Roe was the pick of the Beverley forwards making the most inroads against opponents with size and bulk across the park.
The half-time whistle blew with Moor 14-6 in the lead and also playing the second half with the wind in their favour. Indeed it looked ominous for the Blue and Golds when Moor added further scores from George Croisdale and Jacob Flathers both of which Foster converted with only 10 minutes the second half played.
The visitors then rallied. Some crisp handling to the right saw Josh Poskitt send Lewis Miller over in the corner. The conversion could not be added as the ball sat up in the strong wind.
Moments later Lewis Poskitt broke the line with a dummy and shimmy to be held up short. Quick hand to the right saw Lewis Miller score his second in the corner. The extras could not be added.
The arrears were reduced to 26-14 with Beverley seemingly in the ascendancy. But a break out of his own 20 by Moor’s winger Jacob Flathers saw him race 80 meters to score. The extras were not added but at 30-14, the points were probably in the bag for the home side with 12 minutes to go.
However, 8 minutes from time a quick tap penalty by Sam Roe saw him held up very close to the line. As the home side conceded another penalty for lying on, Francis Coggle took a quick tap and dived over.
Josh Poskitt quickly converted to pull the score back to 20-30.
As the full-time whistle beckoned, James Samme added another try for the hosts converted by Foster.
