Paddy Power : Halifax Irish Smash Beverley

Watching the two sides warm up last Saturday at the Beverley Leisure Centre, the sheer physical presence of the West Riding outfit was always going to be a deciding factor in this Yorkshire Cup tie.

The blue and golds can take heart from a brave and non stop effort in which they had to continually defend repeat sets against a very physical but fair side.

The first half saw the visitors dominate possession and territory to rack up 36 unanswered points. It must be said the bounce of the ball did not favour the hosts, and at least 18 points came from kicks on the last tackle that were fumbled or allowed to bounce by the blue and golds.

The second half saw the home side warm to the task after conceding a further 12 points early in the half. The forwards can come out of the game, in particular, with heads held high, and they were ably supported by scrum half Ryan Watkin, who never stopped taking on the visitors in attack.

Adam Norton, Ian Lane and Lee Stevens never took a backward step when taking the ball in and Phil Hill whose efforts are often unforeseen got through a marathon tackling stint.

Man of the match Ryan Watkin caused problems with his teasing kicks which so often forced repeat sets and line drop-outs. Beverley enjoyed their best spell midway through the second half when they got themselves on the score sheet. Watkin and Steve Davidson were heavily influential in sending centre Ben Calvert over in the corner for his first try for the club.

Beverley ARLC were nearly on the score bard again minutes later when a Watkin interception deep in his own half saw him chased all the way only to be pulled up 5 metres short. A quick play the ball would have led to certain try but the visitors delayed play and were penalised, which allowed them to regroup in defence, and it was a chance gone begging.

A cross field kick was nearly pounced on for a try as Mike Cooper and Lee Falcus wee in hot pursuit, but it proved to be the last scoring opportunity for the hosts. The Pennine side soaked up the pressure and racked up a further 16 points to ensure their passage to the third round of the competition.

Despite the heavy defeat, Beverley will treat this as a worthwhile exercise in which they have tested themselves several notches above their normal comfort zone.

A big crowd were treated to a full afternoon’s entertainment with an under 8s curtain raiser so the club got the opportunity to showcase itself.

Coach Guy Adams commented “Hopefully when we return to the Hull & District League our matches will seem a whole lot easier”

Final Score : Beverley ARLC 4 Halifax Irish 64