Beverley RUFC will embark upon their new season on Saturday with a visit to Halifax where they will take on Old Crossleyans in the North One (East) fixture.
Head Coach Anthony Posa is quietly confident of a good season ahead and although recognising that North One is going to be a tough league, he has high hopes that his Beverley side will bounce back from the disappointments of last season and will be a force to be reckoned with.
Beverley have retained most of their squad from last season and have made some exciting new additions.
Players in For Beverley;
Joe Picketts (Flanker) – Joe is a former Leeds Academy player who played for Yorkshire U20s under AP 3 seasons ago. For the last two seasons, he has been playing professional rugby league and has been coaxed back into Union by his former county coach.
Tomasi Tunami (Utility Back) – Fijian Tomasi has moved to Walkington with his wife and brings with him Championship rugby experience of over three seasons. Tomasi is a welcomed addition with his experience and has also recently completed his coaching papers and will be helping out with some of Beverley’s junior sides as well as contributing to the 1st XV on the field.
Lee Birch (Fullback/Winger) – Lee joins us from neighbours Driffield and is an exciting prospect. Lee tasted some of Beverley’s style of play when starring for our 7s team on the Yorkshire 7s circuit under Junior Tupai in the summer and now has decided to join us full time this season.
Sam Kerry (Hooker) – Sam is a former under England u16 player and was a member of AP’S National Championship Winning Yorkshire U20 side last season. Still only 19, Sam is currently a student at Leeds Met.
Sammy Allen (Stand Off) – Sam, like his namesake above is also a former England age grade rep and is currently working under AP in Doncaster’s youth set up. Sammy will act as a back up to incumbent Phil DuBoulay and will looking for game time to further develop his promising potential.
Leki Atiola (Wing) – Leki is Beverley favourite Sam Atiola’s younger brother and looks just as exciting as his sibling.
James Holland (Flanker) – James joins us from Wharfedale where he was a consistently an outstanding performer for the National One club. Another ‘ex 20’ county player for Yorkshire, his relocation to Doncaster and the urge to re-unite with his old coach and some ex team mates were his main motivation for joining Beverley.
Players Out;
Ben Johnson (Centre) and Mike Bradshaw (Prop) have left us in an attempt to play at a higher level with Hull Ionians and Wharfedale respectively. Max Alderson (lock) and Tom Bagnall (Prop) have joined Hull under the Bishop Burton Academy scheme. We all at the club wish them well and they are all welcome back whenever they are able.
The exciting signings together with current squad members returning soon from long term injuries i.e – David Worrall, Matty Adams, Fraley Hopa and Gavin Gibson gives the club a real buzz leading into this weekends opening round away to Old Crossleyans.
Squad for this weeks game against Old Crossleyans (away) Kick – off 3.p.m Coach leaves Beaver Park 11.30 a.m.
From. :- R. Bussey, G.Jelencic, S,Atiola, J.Tupai(capt), Lee Birch, P.Dunoulay, C.Infield, Manu Kirkwood, K.Renwick, Francis Pickering, J.Stephenson, M.Adams, J.Holland, J.Pickets, Dave Worrall, J.Graham, A.Ogilvie, T.Riby-French, S.Kerry, F.Hopa
