After a week off the Beverley Braves had to bounce back with style and they did just that. Harry Bulleyment set the tone for the game with stunning successive tackles from the off and then Beverley started their attack.
Excellent passing along the line reached Will Johnson to score an outstanding opening try. The Cottingham Tigers forced their way back up field as they attacked in numbers but the Braves held tight and as they regained possession Jack Brown making impressive yards. Beverley maintained the pressure and a superb tactical try from the Bullyment was a joy to watch and well deserved.
Owen Harrison kicked. Connor Davies had an aggressive game running with such determination against his old side, Conor Egan also running well with the ball. Another attacking move followed by Beverley, this time the ball finding Joe Wardill who side stepped his way up the pitch and over the line, Harrison converting.
The game continued in the same vain, Darren Benstead making his usual powerful impression on the pitch and Callam Bielby and Callum Officer both making massive tackles to halt any kind of attack from the Tigers. The whistle blew for half time 0 – 20.
Beverley needed to maintain this possession and from Cottingham’s kick to start the half Wardill collected the ball on his own line and started his acceleration up the pitch, with his speed increasing the Tigers failed to stop him and he broke through tackles to find some space and powered over for an impressive solo try. Harrison converted well. Confidence was high now and the game was brilliant to watch. James Sherwin found a gap and used his blistering pace to break through and score under the sticks. Harrison kicked.
Cottingham continue to battle well and forced Beverley to defend on several occasions. Harry Gray made consecutive tackles with such determination to halt any attack and when Beverley regained possession a lovely passing move saw consistent player James McGahey force his way through the defensive wall only to be held up but from the resulting play the ball went out wide for Tom Wood to fly high into the corner for a Ryan Hall like try. Harrison kicked a fantastic conversion.
The Braves were now in full flow as their signature passing moves down the line found Bullyment this time who was unstoppable when he has the line in sight, Harrison again kicking. Keegan Bartlett who had a superb game then spread the ball out wide with an inch perfect pass to find Sherwin accelerating beyond the reach of any Tiger. Harrison again adding the points. Benstead then added to the tally with a determined run over the line, Harrison completing an excellent kicking game.
Cottingham Tigers should be applauded for their determination and battling but Sherwin completed his hat trick as Bartlett again found the sprinter out wide to release the winger with his outstanding speed.
Final score was 0 – 60 and everything that Beverley had practised in training was used today to great effect. Man of the match Harry Bullyment with an outstanding performance in attack and defence.
