RUGBY LEAGUE : Jake Hart-Fisher Try Sees Beverley Through To Next Round

The blue and gold thoroughly deserved this morale boosting victory at the Leisure Centre last Saturday.

Trailing 18-4 at the break, they staged a thrilling second half revival to overcome a physically intimidating East coast outfit. Faced with a lengthy injury list coach Guy Adams was forced to re-shuffle. Gavin Proctor, Ben Calvert and Nick Cross were all sidelined. He handed a debut to 16 years-old Billy Riby and was boosted by the return of close season signing Adam Jobling to loose forward.

The early exchanges saw both defences on top with Beverley doing well to contain the heavy artillery of the visitors. There were early chances. Ryan Watkin danced through the opposing defence but was collared by the full back. He managed to get in a difficult offload to the supporting Billy Riby which he just could not hold onto and a chance went begging.

They did take the lead in the 17th minute after a spell of quality possession and territory. The ball was shipped swiftly to the right to send full back Lee falcus over in the corner for a try that could not be improved. The visitors hit back, and a long break from their wingman produced some desperate scrambling defence from the hosts. They were awarded a penalty for interference with the play of the ball. A quick tap saw them score beneath the posts. In a purple patch just before the break they added further two tries and goals to lead 18-4 at the break.

The second half saw Beverley warm to the task. Forwards Gavin Platt, Sam Coleman and Daryl Gregory made inroads against a far weightier opposing pack. Adam Jobling was a tower of strength, particularly with his work rate in defence. The fight back began in earnest. Lee Stevens began to cause problems with his continuous offloads, and Steve Connolly came off the bench to add liveliness around the ruck.

Ten minutes into the half a break by Jake Hart-Fisher down the right flank scattered a few defenders. A quick play the ball then saw the ball moved quickly to the left to send Nathan Hoggard over in the corner. Watkin added the extras.

The visitors then enjoyed a spell of pressure, which was aided by Beverley’s turning over of possession early in the tackle count. However, some heroic tackling restricted Scarborough to just a drop-goal for all their efforts.

The pendulum swung back in favour of the home side. Ryan Wakin and Ian Lane began to work their magic in the half backs. They were both heavily influential in a move which sent Rich Etherington over in the left-hand corner which was converted by Watkin. With 12 minutes remaining the visitors saw their grip on the game loosening and began to concede penalties.

Sensing victory, Beverley began to throw the ball around at a frenzied pace. With 5 minutes to go one such handling movement sent Jake Hart-Fisher over in the right-hand corner to the delight of the big crowd. The conversion could not be added, and a nervous last five minutes ensued.

Beverley ARLC turned over possession twice in their own 20 meter zone, and it took some desperate tackling to hold on. One such tackle came from Nathan Hoggard, which forced the ball out of the hand of a Scarborough player leaving the line at his mercy.

A loud roar greeted the final whistle. Man of the match was Ian Lane, who sustained a nasty blow to the nose for his sins in the closing minutes. There were several stand out performers, but Rich Etherington deserves special mention with a flawless performance in attack and defence.

Beverley has been drawn at home to Haworth Park in the second round which will take place on Saturday 12th October.

They return to league action this Saturday when they entertain Norland Academy at the Beverley Leisure Centre kicking off at 2pm.

Final Score: Beverley ARLC 20 Scarborough Pirates 19 | Reported by Nick Robinson