Prior to this hastily re-arranged fixture, both sides, spectators and officials observed a minute’s applause for secretary Keith Deyes who passed away last Monday at the age of 76.
Keith had served on Beverley’s committee for 15 years representing the club at monthly Hull & District meetings.
He was a popular well liked figure both at the club and in local amateur rugby league circles. He continued to go to great lengths to get to games and meetings despite struggling with his health of recent years.
He will be sadly missed.
The match itself was a re-arranged fixture against Premier League opposition due to another cancellation on Thursday much to the annoyance of club officials. This was a tough fixture and on the face of it Beverley’s prospects for the season ahead look bright.
Played at a pace several notches higher than Beverley are used, and both sides served up an entertaining encounter to a sizeable crowd.
Beverley had slightly more of the play in the opening quarter. Their best chance saw Jack Howdle break through from deep in his own half and got a pass away to Lewis Poskitt that went to ground.
The visitors absorbed the pressure and were on the scoreboard with a converted try midway through the half. Beverley replied on the half hour mark with a crisp passing movement direct from a scrum. Sam Roe gave the final pass that saw Lee Falcus sidestep his way over. Watkin was unable to add the extras.
The match boiled over as half-time approached and a fracas broke out, which saw Josh Pooley sent to the sin-bin. The visitors added a drop-goal to go into the break 7-4 up.
Beverley started the second half in a buoyant mood. Jack Howdle again broke from deep in his own half only to be pulled up short. After another debutant Jack Humphries had tried to force his way over, Louis Hubbard crashed over to give Beverley the lead. Watkin converted. Beverley continued to throw the ball around with confidence looking to go in for the kill.
However, a pass was intercepted by a Wests player who sprinted the length of the field to restore the visitors lead. The match continued in high-octane mode, and a fracas broke out again, which saw Steve Connolly and a Wests player dispatched to the sin bin.
Beverley regained the initiative on the hour mark. Good movement to the left saw Humphries and Watkin involved in a move which saw Lee Falcus score his second try. Watkin again converted. The hosts went further ahead a few moments later when a determined run from Jack Howdle saw him go over despite the attentions of a flurry of West’s defenders around him.
The final whistle was blown after 70 minutes following an injury to a West’s player which required the emergency services to attend which it is hoped will not prove to be serious. Louis Hubbard took the man of the match award in an all action performance both in defence and going forward.
This Saturday Beverley are away to Birstall Victoria kicking off at 2.30pm.
Players are to assemble at the Hodgsons at 11.30am.
Final Score: Beverley ARLC 20 West Hull ‘A’ 13 | Reported by Nick Robinson
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