Beverley Braves Dig Deep To Progress In Cup

Last season the Beverley Braves and the Myton Warriors met in the first round of the cup at Marist, and the result was in doubt until the very last moments of the game, Beverley edging home 8-14. Drawn against each other again in this year’s cup first round it was a virtual carbon copy with the boys in blue winning 6-16, but only four points in it until the very end of the game.

Myton Warriors started the game well and their big forwards pounded the Beverley defence time after time, in fact, after seven minutes of the game the Braves had only had the ball three times. This victory was therefore built on a great defensive effort, Olivers’ Loney and Gresswell put in a huge amount of hard work to help keep the Warriors out with great support from Joseph Dennis whose brave tackles were a great example of the commitment of the whole team.

Topping the tackle count were man of the match Ethan Rowbotham, who never stopped working, and Lewis Egan even though he had to spend some time on the side-lines after a knock to the eye. Dylan English was confident at full back taking a high kick coolly under pressure whilst Tom Cohen, this week playing on the right wing did not let anything past him.

Twice Myton were held up over the line, Matthew Hutchinson prominent on at least one of these occasions, and they also forced two-goal line drop outs such was their dominance of the opening ten minutes. In offence, the Braves struggled, a clearance kick being charged down by the oncoming defence and William Kirkup unlucky to be tackled into touch after he backed himself down the left wing. Ryan Deane showed the way forward several times gaining valuable yards with his weaving runs. It was no surprise, however, that all the pressure from the Warriors would eventually pay dividends, and one of the big Myton pack finally crashed over for a converted try they richly deserved.

The reaction from the Braves was positive and when the ball was worked to the right Rowbotham slipped the ball out of the tackle to William Wallis, who jinked his way over, too far out to be converted against a strong wind. That was on the stroke of half-time making the score at the break 6-4.

The second half started well for the Braves, Rowbotham winning the ball from the kick off with a one-on-one ball steal. The ball was worked left, and Marcus Walker put the supporting Ewan Morton in a gap to get over the line, only for the referee to bring him back for a forward pass. Next Harry Newton stepped inside after the ball was worked left again only to be held up just short. The Braves, with the wind at their backs, had much more possession in the second half and on their fourth set, George Lees could step around several potential tacklers before going over close to the posts. Walker converted, and Beverley had moved into the lead at 6-10.

As the game continued Myton appeared to tire in defence a little, probably sick of the sight of another strong run from George Bennett-Teare, the Micky Paea of the under 12s, with the quick ball from acting half-back from Jack Turner. Bennett-Teare alongside Wallis was close to earning themselves a man of the match award.

As time ticked by and with only four points in it things began to get tense. Both teams had possession to get the decisive next try, and the Braves had to resist a sustained period of pressure from Myton.

Walker’s weaving run managed to finally get Beverley away from their own line and with a penalty just seconds later the position was set for Wallis to get over on the left and with the conversion from Walker, the final score was 6-16. An entertaining cup tie the Braves worked hard to grind out a win against tenacious opposition.

Final Score: Myton Warriors 6 Beverley Braves 16