Conditions were poor for this tense quarter final as the winds swirled round the pitch.
Beverley Braves were up against a Yorkshire Division 2 side that had narrowly missed out on promotion this season. As Beverley are to join Division 2 next year this was a game of great importance as a place in the semi final was beckoning.
An awkward bobble of the ball in the first few minutes forced an error from Newsome and Beverley commenced their first attack. Dylan Clifford made a strong hard drive and made very impressive yards. Although they pushed the visitor’s line early they could not capitalise on their possession. It was now Beverley’s time to defend and take a measure of the opposition for the first time.
Jay Black, whose confidence is growing every match, made a great tackle and prevented the Panthers gaining many yards. The game was getting into full flow and very good to watch from the sidelines. Despite the Panthers being the bigger side it was Beverley who scored first as from just inside the half Will Johnson received the ball and fought his way through Newsome’s tackles for an excellent try.
From the restart a difficult kick meant Beverley had to defend on their own line but Tom Wood bravely held the attacker up to prevent a certain try. The play quickly went to the other end and found the trusty boot of Owen Harrison who kicked a lovely high ball which Newsome were unable to take cleanly. The resulting scrum saw a lovely wrap around move that saw a precision pass from James McGahey to an accelerating Joe Wardill who ran from blind side to dive over the white wash for an excellent try.
It was not long before Wardill was on the score sheet again as McGahey released a stunning pass to find him at speed and unstoppable. Play commenced with Newsome on the attack but the ferocity of the tackles from the Braves forced a knock on to quell any chances of a score. Beverley was growing in confidence and Keenan Barker was very unlucky not to add to the points after he was held up following a charging run. This constant pressure though finally paid off as Wardill ran in his hat trick as he twisted with a lovely run to score near the uprights allowing Harrison to add his conversion to secure the half time to the Braves 18 points to nil.
Newsome Panthers came out the second half with a quick try and conversion to shock the home side but on reflection this was exactly what was needed to keep Beverley from being complacent. The game was heating up but played with good spirit. Conor Egan made two great tackles in quick succession and Harry Bulleyment pumped his legs to drive his way forward ball in hand before it was ripped. Beverley were awarded the penalty and they opted to kick for the extra two points. Harrison kicked well in swirling winds to ease the Braves away from Newsome.
It was Harrison again who kicked a high ball and confusion in the Panthers defence saw the ball bouncing over into the in goal area and a fantastic sprint from Darren Benstead saw him dive onto the loose ball and claim the try. Harrison added the two points well. Newsome though did not give up and continued to put pressure on Beverley.
Callum Officer was superb at prop with good charges and big hits and Connor Davies had another strong game with a bagful of tackles and runs. Newsome found the white wash again though with a well worked try but Beverley responded by increasing the pressure and this forced errors from the Panthers. A stunning pass from Harrison found Benstead who bulldozed over the line and Harrison converted well. Nathan Collinson completed excellent passes time and time again throughout the match and James Sherwin was so unlucky not to score as he showed his blistering pace through the gap only to be stopped just short of the line.
Beverley were a joy to watch with excellent support play and quick passing and the day was completed with another attacking move which saw Wardill offload with an excellent flick pass to Benstead to complete his hat trick. Harrison added the two to complete a comprehensive win against a strong Newsome Panthers.
Final Score: Beverley Braves 38 Newsome Panthers 12
Man of the match voted by the opposition was Joe Wardill who had another strong game at fullback.
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