What a match. This was a thrilling encounter played at a great pace with the result in doubt until the very end. It was an afternoon full of expectation, both these teams being capable of playing exhilarating rugby. And they did not disappoint. Chester are a fine well organised side going flat out for promotion and to have emerged triumphant against such a polished outfit was perhaps one of Beverley RUFC’s most satisfying successes of the season so far. Yet strangely enough despite all the hard running and open play it was the pack that in the end won it for Beverley RUFC with a tremendous second half display.
Beverley RUFC started at a cracking pace having all the early possession and moving the ball crisply about in the backs. Just when it looked as though they were going to make it count with an opening try Chester winger Sion Rowlands intercepted a loose pass in his own half and sprinted over sixty metres to give the visitors an unlikely try which Rhys Hayes converted. It was tough luck on Beverley RUFC. Sadly they immediately began to lose their edge and the Chester play correspondingly gathered momentum.
Chester looked increasingly impressive with terrific handling in the backs and superb ball retention up front. It was not hard to see why they are flying high in the league. Beverley RUFC in contrast for a long time could hardly get their hands on the ball. Eventually a period of sustained pressure in the home 22 ended with hooker John Gill crossing for a second Chester try. Some of Beverley RUFC’s passing in midfield started to get distinctly untidy with the ball frequently going to ground, Too much delayed delivery from the base of the scrum did not help as the backs were often left with little time or space to create anything. Yet for all their impressive play Chester were unable to add to their score although they still found themselves in the comfortable position of turning round 12-0 up with the advantage of a strong wind to come in the second half.
Quite what was said at halftime in the Beverley RUFC camp is uncertain but the effect was dramatic. In the second half their pack tore into the opposition. Chester were completely knocked out of their stride and they were never quite the same force again. A quick score was what Beverley RUFC needed and it took only five minutes to get it. From a scrum on the left the ball was moved across field to full back Sam Montague who powered his way down the touchline for fifty metres for a spectacular try.
Beverley RUFC were now right back in it and they threw everything into turning the game round. A penalty by Hayes twenty minutes from time again took Chester two scores clear but it made little difference to the Beverley RUFC effort. They dominated the lineouts with Frayley Hopa several times taking the ball against the throw. Hopa was also impressive in the loose as were John Stephenson and Matty Adams who was unlucky to have to make way when Beverley RUFC rang the changes. Skipper David Worrall was inevitably in the thick of things and led from the front as Beverley RUFC went flat out for the win.
Ten minutes from time they again narrowed the deficit. A fine break by Montague and some lovely interpassing sent Junior Tupai racing clear to the posts. Phil Dale converted and Beverley RUFC were now within three points. They threw everything into a terrific finish even though Chester always looked capable of bursting away to settle it themselves. In the dying minutes Beverley RUFC finally got there. They declined a penalty kick at goal and kicked to the corner instead. The lineout was easily secured and with a tremendous drive the pack powered its way to the line for a match winning try, Hopa getting the touchdown. A thrilling afternoon’s rugby and a wholly satisfying victory for Beverley RUFC.
Beverley RUFC 17 Chester 15
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