The blue and golds remained at the top of the table after this high-scoring encounter at the Beverley Leisure Centre.
They have a superior point’s difference to second placed Three Tuns that also have a game in hand. Jack Howdle, Ryan Watkin and Ben Calvert were notable absentees last Saturday, and the depth of Beverley’s squad was once again put to the test. Mike Cooper was switched to the centre, and Bobby Howdle was slotted in at hooker.
As the score line suggests both attacks were on top in this encounter. Louis Hubbard and man of the match Glen Anfield were Beverley’s most potent attacking forces, and both helped themselves to a hat-trick apiece.
This was always going to be one of the tougher encounters this season and coach Pat Howdle said;
“I was glad to get that one out of the way and get the two points by whatever score.”
The home side were very quick out of the traps and started off as if they were going to take the opposition to the cleaners. They were 16-0 up inside 12 minutes. Glen Anfield’s perfectly weighted long ball sent Louis Hubbard over after which Anfield’s long rangy running style saw him dummy and sidestep his way to a try. They went further ahead when a speculative kick ahead saw Bobby Howdle recover the ball and sprint away to score in the corner.
Beverley then lost their pattern, and the visitors pulled back two tries to reduce the arrears to 16-10. A towering bomb was then caught by Glen Anfield to score beneath the posts and stretch the hosts lead again. However, concentration was again lost, and the visitors got another converted try.
Right on the stroke of half time Steve Connolly’s chip ahead was gathered by Anfield, who drew his man perfectly to send Louis Poskitt under the posts. Anfield added the extras for a 28-16 interval lead.
The second half continued in the same see-saw manner. Beverley looked capable of finishing off the opposition but just couldn’t sustain possession and territorial advantage for long enough. Early in the half Anfield’s smart pass sent Adam Robson away who kept his cool to draw the full back and send Louis Hubbard over for his second.
The conversion was added and a few moments later a long kick downfield was fumbled by Bilton and Josh Pooley was on hand to pounce and score in the corner a try that was not improved. The visitors again refused to buckle and pulled back another try.
Beverley were in need of a score, and Glen Anfield crabbed and dummied his way across through the field to score wide out and complete his hat-trick. It then appeared to Beverley’s growing band of supporters that they were stating to turn the screw at 44-22.
They were wrong and the visitors again pulled back a converted try. Beverley’s nerves again needed steadying and one of Glen Anfield’s speciality long balls found Louis Hubbard lurking out wide. Hubbard completed his hat-trick out wide and Anfield added the extras. The visitors managed a late consolation score to round off the point’s feast.
Louis Hubbard and Glen Anfield were the obvious stars of the show, but Adam Robson was a quiet stand out performer getting on with the job in his usual no-nonsense style.
This Saturday Beverley are in the second round of the Tom Beautiman Cup at home to Cottingham Tigers. Ben Calvert and Jack Howdle will return to the squad from their work commitments. Ryan Watin is not quite 100% following his injury and Howdle may choose not to risk him in view of some vital league fixtures coming up before the Christmas break.
Kick-off is 2pm at the Beverley Leisure Centre, and the club have noted that last week’s match kicked off ten minutes early. This was the referee’s decision, and the club would like to apologise for some spectators missing some of the match. Hopefully, this will not happen again this season.
Final Score: Beverley ARLC 50 Bilton Sullys 34 | Reported by Nick Robinson