On a glorious sunny day with the pitch at Beaver Park looking in excellent condition, a good crowd were anticipating some good running rugby in the game between Champions York and a Beverley side seeking revenge for the single point defeat that they suffered at York on the opening day of the season last September. They were no to be disappointed!
York kicked off deep into the Beverley 22 and remained there until, after 2 minutes they were awarded a penalty. From the resulting line out, a sharp move resulted in a try under the posts which was converted to give York an early lead (0-7)
Beverley RUFC across to Settle for their longest trip of the season to take on North Ribblesdale in this Yorkshire Division One match.
Showing eight changes, ~Beverley took their time to settle, but did keep up their custom of conceding a third minute penalty which the Ribblesdale No 10 duly converted to give the hosts a 3-0 lead.
A helter-skelter of a match. Beverley deservedly won in the end but they had to withstand a terrific late Scarborough onslaught during which the two sides between them scored 31 points in the last 25 minutes.
Beverley led 25-6 going into the final quarter and looked to have the game comfortably in the bag. They had been the better side throughout and were playing by far the more controlled rugby. They could scarcely have anticipated the rumbustious ending to come.
A damp murky West Yorkshire afternoon and not one that Beverley will particularly want to remember.
In the heavy underfoot conditions they could never quite come to terms with the big Heath pack and in the end could have no complaint at the final outcome. They did have their moments particularly in the first half and on a firmer surface it could all have been very different.
This was a poor match. Very scrappy with Beverley RUFC looking strangely under par, particularly following their excellent showing last week in the defeat of Bradford Salem.
Their passing was way below their normal standard and the intended receiver was invariably scrabbling about at their boots or stretching way above their heads.
A cracking game between two well-matched sides and a cracking Beverley RUFC performance.
Salem are a different proposition from the team that struggled earlier in the season and the young Beverley side would have expected a tough afternoon here. That they romped home in such fine style owed much to a composed team effort and a fearless attacking game.
Beverley travelled to York on Saturday for their Yorkshire League 1 fixture.
Showing several changes due to weddings and International fixtures at Twickenham, the Beavers started slowly and came under immediate pressure from the powerful looking York pack. Beverley defended resolutely for 15 minutes but finally cracked and York
Beverley RUFC player coach Will Turnbull says while the win on Saturday means nothing, it did show that if his side stick to the game plan things will work, but only if they apply themselves.
Monsoon like rain throughout Friday night left the Beverley RUFC First team pitch waterlogged and this match was therefore transferred to the No 2 pitch which was also very wet but at least playable.
Another courageous Beverley effort but once again without reward. Had they been able to get their hands on the ball a bit more this might have been a different story.
