The blue and golds clinched two very valuable and badly needed Yorkshire Premier League points in this clash against their local rivals from Hull.
Beverley were good value for their win, which was more comfortable than the score suggests as they led 28-6 after 60 minutes.
On a very warm evening in North Hull, both sides committed early handling errors. However, Beverley got on the scoreboard first when Luke Shaw did well to force his way over with a strong burst in the 4th minute. Straw added the extras.
Beverley threw the ball around in a confident manner, and Josh Poskitt was sent in the clear deep in his own half only to be pulled back for a forward pass. They did add to their lead in the 10th minute when a Lewis Straw long ball found Ben Naylor out wide who did well to finish in the corner.
The conversion could not be added, and visitors could not add to their lead until the 28th minute. A few quality plays then led to Alex Calvert scoring wide out for Straw this time to convert. Shortly after, as Beverley lapsed in concentration, Ben Goaten did well to back up a break and score under the posts, and the conversion was added to pull the score back to 16-6.
During the rest of the half saw Beverley somewhat needlessly dragged into a forward battle and looked at their most vulnerable at this stage. Lewis Straw did steady the jitters with a penalty right on the stroke of half-time to stretch the lead to 18-6.
Early in the second half Beverley were soon on the attack, and Lewis Poskitt’s chip ahead was parried inside only for it to go to ground, and a chance was spurned. In the 52nd minute, after several probes at the Hull line, Jack Humphries took on the opposition with that inimitable side step to score. Straw converted. The home side did regain possession from the re-start kick, but the attacking set was well defended.
On the hour mark, the points were effectively sealed as Beverley were bringing the ball away from their own 20. A Steve Connolly show and go saw him break clear and get a pass away to Josh Poskitt.
As the cover defence closed in Poskitt kicked inside and Lewis Straw was on hand to pounce and score.
The home side enjoyed much more possession and territory in the closing minutes and pulled back two tries courtesy of Chris Armstrong and Len Hairsine.
Between this Lewis Straw intercepted to go 80 metres only to have been ruled to have grounded the ball short. It was difficult to single out individuals on the night but Luke Shaw caught the eye as did Jack Howdle when taking on a very physical opposing pack.
Head Coach Scott Taylor enthused over the morale boosting win and commented;
“We had to defend a lot of sets and our line defence was as good as anything I have seen this season.”
The performance should be good preparation for this Saturdays first ever visit to Nottingham Outlaws (kick off 3pm tbc at Highfields).
The bus for players and supporters will depart from the Potting Shed at 11.30am.
Final Score : North Hull Knights 18 Beverley ARLC 28 | Reported by Nick Robinson
