The blue and golds came away with two very valuable league points at the end of an eventful afternoon. The designated referee failed to turn up at the scheduled kick off time of 2pm. Club officials then had to contact the Hull & District League who managed to find a replacement referee to ensure the game could go ahead.
When proceedings finally got underway at 2.50 pm the sizable crowd that had waited so patiently on a pleasant spring-like afternoon were treated to an absorbing tussle.
The visitors took the lead with their first attack of the game. After a fumbled kick off, the resultant scrum saw them win the ball and send it out wide for their wingman to score in the corner. The hosts snatched back the initiative straight away when the restart kick went dead. The ensuing pressure then allowed Paul Atkinson to go over from close range with Ryan Watkin adding the extras. The lead was short-lived as the visitors replied with a converted try just 3 minutes later.
The game then settled down as both side’s cut out errors and defences started to get on top. In one of the rare line breaks that took place in the rest of the game, Ryan Watkin sneaked away from the dummy half position. He sent a pass to Nathan Hoggard, who pulled up short. A quick play the ball then saw Watkin go over wide out and level the scores. The home side continued to press. Steve Connolly, who had another impressive game in attack and defence came close. He got over the line but was prevented from grounding the ball by a cluster of defenders.
The forward continued to grind out the hard yards. Joe Wileman, Dan Clarke, Ian Esselmont and Lee Stevens all more than earned their keep. Dan Clarke who had possibly his best game of the season was rewarded with a try right on the stroke of half time. A strong drive for the line from 10 meters saw him go over for Watkin to convert. A 16-10 interval score was a fair reflection of play.
Early in the second half Beverley extended their lead. A kick ahead on the last tackle was fumbled by the Lambwath full back. Steve Connolly was on hand to gather the ball and send a pass to the supporting Paul Atkinson, who sprinted away for his second try. Watkin adding the extras for a 22-10 lead.
The remainder of the game saw the visitors enjoy much more possession and territory. At the same time Beverley found it difficult to get out of their own half when in possession. Midway through the second half Lambwath managed a converted try to reduce the deficit to 22-16. The last twenty minutes of the game was mainly spent in the Beverley half of the pitch and there was some heart-stopping moments.
The never-say-die spirit that was needed at Bilton the previous week again got the home side through. The final whistle blew at 4.25pm for a very hard-earned victory in which strong defence won the day. The committee man of the match award went to Ryan Watkin in a close vote which saw Paul Atkinson, Dan Clarke and Steve Connolly pushing close.
This Saturday the blue and golds go in search of a fourth successive win. They take on basement side Haworth Park Rangers kicking off 2pm at Haworth Park.
Beverley ARLC 22 Lambwath Lions 16 | Reported by Nick Robinson
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