Beverley Get Back To Winning Ways

This was more like it. After several disappointing performances in which they have not done themselves justice Beverley had a comfortable win here and looked to be back at their best. Well, more or less. Twice within two minutes of scoring a try they carelessly conceded one at the other end ominously making it look like a case of here we go again. But they gained in confidence and domination the longer the match went on and by the end were playing some fine rugby.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable game, full of adventure and played in a good spirit. How much this was down to the good nature of both sides and how much to the impressive refereeing of Claire Hodnett is hard to say. It was difficult to remember a single case of dissent or bad feeling all afternoon and Claire Hodnett remained almost anonymous throughout.

The game got off to a dramatic start. Within five minutes both sides had notched up a converted try. Richard Bussey taking an inside pass burst through to send Tomasi Tanumi in under the posts and put Beverley ahead. Two minutes later a sloppy pass was intercepted by Westoe centre Mark Wilson giving him an easy run to the line to equalise. Based on recent performances there was no surprise there.

Both teams looked dangerous whenever they got near their opponents line. Westoe showed plenty of muscle but up front they increasingly found it hard to come to terms with the home pack which looked much stronger for the return of its first choice front row of Kris Renwick, Sam Kerry and Alex Ogilvie. From a penalty lineout in the corner the pack drove over and James McKay touched down to put Beverley back in the lead.

Once again Westoe came back immediately and went ahead 14-12 with a converted try from centre Charles Popp after another moment of Beverley carelessness. This time Beverley themselves quickly responded, Lee Birch running in for a wonderful try following a mazy run from halfway. Phil Duboulay missed the conversion but Beverley were now firmly in the driving seat. Westoe were never again in the lead.

A break by Bussey set up a second try for Tanumi allowing Beverley to turn round 22-14 up and looking more comfortable than for some weeks. Early in the second half they suffered a double blow with injuries to Duboulay and McKay, Birch having already departed early on with a leg injury. Fortunately Beverley were well served from the bench and a club is in a happy position when it can bring on somebody of the calibre of Joe Pickets. Brandon Hannam and Rob Smith also played their part as Beverley increasingly gained control.

A feature of the game was the impressive driving of the Beverley pack. From a second drive to the line from a penalty lineout the outstanding James Holland touched down for a fifth Beverley try. Soon afterwards the pack drove thirty metres into the Westoe half and Tanumi kicked a penalty which put Beverley three scores ahead.

Westoe gave it everything and always looked dangerous but it was as good as all over when Beverley went twenty one points clear through a try by Ogilvie. A blistering run down the right touchline by Holland then put Bussey in to take Beverley over the forty points mark. Lock Peter Dent scored a consolation try in the dying minutes for Westoe which scrum half Matthew Mellish converted to round off an absorbing game.

This was an altogether much better day for Beverley. Bussey, after enduring a nightmare of an afternoon the previous week at Waterloo, had an excellent game as did debutant Mark Steadman at full back. But perhaps one of the most satisfying aspects for Beverley was the vastly improved service from the base of the scrum where Joe Shepherdson got the ball away quickly to the backs giving them far more scope than they have had for some time.

Final Score: Beverley RUFC 42 Westoe 21 | Reported by John Nursey