Brave Effort Against Unbeaten Bulls

Beverley had to dig deep this Sunday against a Skirlaugh side who are undefeated in the league. After some excellent games in previous weeks the Beverley Braves were up for the challenge despite having players missing on holiday.

From the whistle there was a buzz in the air as Beverley commenced the battle with an excellent set which saw a high kick dropped by the Bulls full back. Close to their opponents line Beverley passed the ball cleanly and accurately and Joe Wardill released the ball to the hands of Darren Benstead who ran at Skirlaugh at speed and made a stunning dive over the line to open the scoring to Beverley.

Owen Harrison was so unlucky not to add the two points in the swirling wind as the ball hit the upright. The Braves had the confidence now and the rugby was a joy to watch. Dylan Clifford and Harry Bulleyment gained impressive yards every time they received the ball along with Callum Officer, Connor Davies and Callam Bielby.

James McGahey played intelligently dominating the middle of the park both in defence and attack with his non stop tackling and switching the play direction with ease. Beverley was now holding the Bulls and even when the breaks were made some great cover tackles eluded the visitors. Skirlaugh were almost clean through but were forced into touch with a timely tackle from Harry Gray and Clifford using all their strength.

Harry Bell, the smallest man on the field was instrumental in the middle along side Keegan Bartlett distributing the ball around the pitch. Wingers James Sherwin and Tom Woods tackled so well with players twice their size running hard at them. Will Johnson had his best game of the season so far breaking the tackle every time he made a run. The Bulls upped the pressure as the half time beckoned though and ran in two tries despite Beverley’s best efforts to make half time a very respectable 4 – 10 to the Bulls.

The next 20 minutes saw a different game as Skirlaugh dominated once again. Beverley battled hard but tired players could not hold some excellent play from the Bulls who took their chances well with some clever tries. Beverley had to defend for the majority of this period and with a lack of subs this proved difficult. The players still worked non stop despite Skirlaugh running 40 points past them and some would have thrown in the towel which in the past sometimes Beverley are guilty of, but not today.

The Braves kicked off and Wardill chased the ball with such amazing speed that it caught Skirlaugh off guard and as he gathered the ball and then off loaded to Benstead he in turn found Clifford who powered through a tight Bulls line for a stunning try. Harrison converted to add the two points and the Braves had found their confidence again.

There was minutes left and Beverley saw their chance as they put pressure on the Bulls line and a well worked manoeuvre saw the mighty Bulleyment power over from close range, Harrison converting, to make the final score 16 – 40.

Skirlaugh are a truly class side but Beverley can hold their heads high with a great team performance. Man of the Match James McGahey who was equally as classy as the opposition.

Beverley Braves U14 16 Skirlaugh Bulls U14 40 | Reported by Sue Wardill