Braves Bounce Back With Victory Over Tigers

Beverley Braves under 11s put their disappointing cup final loss well and truly behind them with this comprehensive victory at the leisure centre over their nearest rivals Cottingham Tigers.

The Braves looked up for this clash from the first whistle, had good line speed and were strong in the tackle to apply early pressure to their opponents, which stifled any attacking opportunities.

With the ball, full back Will Cohen threatened to break the line with every kick return whilst Captain Olly Adamson slotted in at centre and also looked dangerous. After five minutes, weighing each other up it was the Braves that drew first blood when Charlie Gay went to the line and put the rampaging Josh Hamlyn through a hole on his way to the try line but not before man-handling three or four Cott defenders out of the way in the process. Sure foot Owen Miller converting for a 6-0 lead. The Tigers responded by going over out wide to make it 6-4.

Ninety seconds out from half time, Gay slipped through a gap and fed scrum half Cain Robb, who beat two defenders before unselfishly passing inside to the supporting hooker Tom Nuttall, who went in next to the posts. Robb calmly slotting over the extras to stretch the lead out to 12-4, a lead which would have definitely been reduced in the very next set if it wasn’t for Adamson and his wing partner Matty Shirley, who together saved a certain try. Half-Time 12-4.

The second half went pretty much the same as the first and when Robb scorched over from a scrum on the half way, converted by Miller the game looked over but again Cott replied in the next set and going into the final 10 minutes the braves led 18-8.

It was a feisty encounter, and Beverley gave as good as they got and were well served by the forward pack of Alex Nuttall, Shamus Blades, Adam Greenwood, Ellis Gaden and Isaac Merryweather, along with Hamlym and substitute prop Rhys Wallan, who saved a try after collecting a tricky kick on his own line.

The final Beverley try went to Robb, who chased a kick from Tom Nuttall, copped a lucky bounce and raced under the posts to put the game to bed once and for all, converting his own try – 24-8.

The Tigers had the last word to make it 28-12, but Beverley can be proud of a very good performance of flowing rugby, backed up by a tough resolute defence which will stand them in good stead for the Yorkshire cup campaign next month.

Many players caught the eye, including Robb and Hamlyn but none more so than wingman Shirley, who pulled off several top tackles to earn the man of the match award.

Coach Craig Collins reminded his charges afterwards ‘To succeed……you need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you.

Final Score: Beverley Braves 24 Cottingham Tigers 12