Beverley knew the visit of Keighley RUFC to Beaver Park was going to be a tough one.
Both teams prefer to set a platform for fast-flowing running and passing rugby.
Somewhat miraculously, Old Crossleyans were able to host this fixture despite the torrents of rain that have beset our county over the previous week.
Beverley kicked off the first half playing from right to left and slightly uphill on a pitch in remarkably good condition.
Beverley knew the visit of Dinnington RUFC to Beaver Park was going to be a tough one after last season’s encounter when they stifled the Beverley game plan so effectively it was reminiscent of what South Africa did to England last weekend.
This occasion had a much better outcome for the Beavers, playing at home in the cold sunshine on a squelchy pitch, an entertaining 9 try game saw Beverley finish worthy winners 36-22.
Beverley knew the visit of Heath to Beaver Park was going to be a tough one. It always is, and more recently the men from Halifax have had the edge, utilising their strength to better advantage than Beverley’s.
Heath’s strength being a forward pack that is probably the strongest and best drilled in the league, Beverley’s strength is their fast and creative backs that can score tries from anywhere.
In recent seasons Beverley at Hullensians have performed wretchedly, suffered defeat, and seen their season start to fall away.
This time though they never looked remotely like the side that had racked up over two hundred points in their last four games they at least they came away with the five-point win they wanted.
Following a warm and hospitable welcome from the West Leeds committee the clouds scattered to present ideal Rugby watching conditions.
The ground was dappled in the autumn sunshine with virtually no breeze. A feature that both kickers would take full advantage of.
The first home game for Beverley RUFC of the Yorkshire Division One Rugby Football Union kicked off on Saturday against Old Leodiensians, at Beaver Park.
Beverley needed to bounce back after their narrow defeat the week before away to Old Brodleians and show some of their trademark entertaining rugby – which they did in abundance.
With several of their most influential players absent, this looked like being a tough afternoon for Beverley. Not a bit of it. This was an altogether absorbing match and a fine performance by the young Beverley side.
In recognition of the Club’s annual Ladies Day, they turned out in pink shirts and flowery shorts but mercifully did not play accordingly. Far from being a drab end of season affair, this was a cracking game with some top quality play by both sides.
After fifteen minutes this match looked certain to end with a comfortable bonus-point win for Beverley. After eighty minutes they had been soundly beaten and deservedly so.
Their game fell away to an alarming extent as the match wore on – perhaps not becoming quite as dire as the shambles at Hullensians but not far off it.
Beware the ides of March. But not this week. After the dismal affair a week ago at Dinnington Beverley were back on top form securing another outstanding bonus point win – the seventh in their last eight games.
Crossleyans started the match only one point behind Beverley but never really got a look-in and Beverley comfortably cruised home scoring six tries in the process all of which Phil Duboulay converted in difficult conditions.
In perfect conditions, a good crowd at Beaver Park on Saturday were treated to an exhibition of champagne rugby.
Beverley ran in 10 tries, 9 of which were converted, to 3 with I converted by Bradford Salem.
What a match. This was what proper rugby at its best is all about. Two sides at the top of their game going hell for leather for eighty minutes – and with never a hint of ill-temper from start to finish. The result could have gone either way.
After a 66 point feast of scoring only two points separated the sides at the end and neither could have complained at the outcome whichever way it went. Beforehand there was an air of expectancy. Beverley arrived here on the back of four consecutive bonus-point wins and Heath’s recent record was not much inferior.
Back in October last year Beverley RUFC visited Hullensians and ended up on the wrong end of a 5-29 defeat.
That poor performance ended a four-match winning run and it took another month for the Beavers to recover their form and return to winning ways.
Guisborough kicked off in this Yorkshire League 1 match and had 5 points on the board before Beverley had touched the ball with a smartly taken try from Joe Whyman (0-5).
A stunned Beverley hit back and mounted a series of attacks, resulting eventually in a penalty which Phil Duboulay kicked to make it 3-5.
New year, new Beverley. After a disappointing late autumn in which they rather lost their way Beverley in 2019 look to have recaptured the early season spark that had them riding high in Yorkshire One.
Following their impressive win the previous week against Pontefract this was another first-class display and another well earned victory. Moreover, for most of the game, they did it with fourteen men after Alfie Hart-Fisher had been red-carded early on for dangerous play. They owed a lot to their pack which even down to seven men still ended the game looking the stronger of the two sets of forwards.
Beverley RUFC started the second half of the season entertaining Pontefract on a cold and grey day, but at least dry conditions underfoot made the prospect of some good rugby realistic and so it proved.
In September the Beavers secured a victory over Pontefract in the corresponding fixture over in the West Riding. Results since then shown that Ponte has improved substantially and they currently sit fourth in the table, with 13 points more than Beverley.
Beverley RUFC beat Selby 20-14 in a match that club officials say would be best forgotten due to fighting and weather.
For all the wrong reasons the match proved to be an eventful one at Beaver Park. Played out for the most part in atrocious conditions with the standard of rugby reflecting that.
A good natured crowd, a fast game, and a tight finish; this was a good day’s rugby. After three defeats in their last four league outings Beverley badly needed a win here.
Not to get one was a disappointment and they now find themselves languishing in mid-table. It wasn’t for the want of trying and there was plenty of enterprise but in the end they could have no complaint at the final result.