Blue & Golds Derail Locomotive At The Leisure Centre

The blue and golds were at their clinical best on Saturday afternoon with the ball given plenty of air at regular intervals and travelling through numerous pairs of hands.

Beverley’s opponents from York, who sit two divisions below Beverley in the hierarchy of leagues, showed plenty of spirit but had few answers against a side that is now really starting to gel. They have finished fourth in the 40/20 table and at the time of going to press await official confirmation of their semi-final opponents.

After being denied a try inside the opening two minutes after being adjudged to be offside, Bobby Howdle crossed courtesy of Tom Radley’s assist. Swift hands was the name of the game all afternoon for the hosts and Ben Naylor got on the end of a passing movement to cross wide out with new signing Mathew Liggins quickly adding another try. As possession continued to be monopolized by the hosts, a very popular and rare try that brought a roar from the crowd was scored by Lee Stevens, who charged over from close range.

Moments later, the shell-shocked visitors spilled possession in their own 20. Billy Riby kicked the ball on to regather and score. Then a strong burst and slipped pass from Jack Howdle sent Alex Calvert, who seems to be really settling in to the side following his return home from Coventry and London, in the clear to touch down. Next sweet handling right across the park sent Ben Naylor over for his second. The scores stood at 38-0 at the break.

Early in the second half Ben Naylor appeared to be streaking away for his hat-trick but was denied by the chasing cover. However, a quick play the ball saw fast hands to the right send Tom Radley over. Very soon after the re-start and following a couple of strong bursts. Tom Moore sneaked out of dummy half to sprint the remaining 40 meters to post another score.

After a ten-minute break in the scoring, Jack Howdle then broke free to send Jack Humphries veering towards the corner flag for him to beat the chasing cover and score. Every pass was now sticking for the hosts as Craig Morfitt got on the end of a movement to score. He then became the creator when sending Billy Riby over for his second.

With time ticking down a towering bomb from Beverley was fumbled by the luckless visitors. Tom Radley gathered the ball to register a brace of tries beneath the posts. Finally to complete the route, Jack Howdle sent lethal finisher Billy Riby in the clear to claim a hat-trick. Riby was also voted the man of the match.

There was an avalanche of points, but a clean defensive sheet will also please Pat Howdle and Scott Taylor as there was one spell where 24 tackles in a row had to be defended close to the Beverley line.

This was another good workout for Beverley as they continue their squad rotation ahead of that tough opening league fixture away to Sharlston Rovers on April 9th.

Final Score: Beverley ARLC 78 York Locomotive 0 | Reported By Nick Robinson