Beverley’s rollercoaster season continued following last week’s sublime performance with a disjointed display that saw Beverley crash to their third defeat of the season 23 – 10 away from home at the hands of West Leeds.
This was more like it. After two lacklustre defeats, Beverley celebrated the Club’s Ladies Day with a convincing win to move up to fifth in the table.
Bradford are unlikely to be among the league’s front runners this year unlike Middlesborough and Old Crossleyans, Beverley’s last two opponents, but this was nonetheless an impressive showing by the home side.
Middlesbrough kicked off on a bright sunny afternoon at Beaver Park and the Beavers immediately set up camp in the visitors 22.
After 5 minutes Rob Smith scooted over for a try which Phil Duboulay converted (7-0). He followed this 2 minutes later by making a fine break and putting Jake Boardman in for a try which Duboulay again converted to make it 14 points to nil and to set their supporters cheering after last week’s disappointing result at Old Crossleyans.
After the turgid rugby of the British Lions South African tour watching rugby again as it should be played has been like a breath of fresh air. Sadly today it all came from Crossleyans.
Beverley were given the runaround for the whole of the first half and much of the second by a side which looked twice as determined and twice as quick. After their fine performance the previous week this was a hugely disappointing showing even allowing for the superior quality of this week’s opposition.
At last, Rugby returned to Beaver Park with Beverley entertaining Old Rishworthian RFC from Halifax and entertained them and a reasonable crowd to some highly promising rugby.
The Beavers have lost a number of last years squad but look to have a useful set of youngsters ready to replace them. Playing towards the clubhouse they took an early lead after 10 minutes through a Phil Duboulay penalty (3-0).
A busy day at Beaver park – the first team game was pre-empted with an excellent win for Beverley Under 14’s in the semi-final of the Yorkshire cup against Otley. Good luck in the final, also at Beaver Park in a couple of week’s time.
The annual Old Boys reunion was already in full throw by the kick off time. It was great to see the crowd boosted by many old friends of bygone ages.
What an extraordinary match. The final score made it look close but it seldom was. After twenty-five minutes Beverley was cruising at 19 – 0 up and playing some fluent attacking rugby.
Fifty minutes later they were 40-26 down having been given a thorough going-over by a resurgent home side. A strong comeback in the last five minutes then brought them back up to within two points to earn them a bonus point.
A visit from West Leeds is always a tough encounter for Beverley, especially so when given their form had dipped due to injuries and unavailability.
It was important that Beverley got back to winning ways to keep touch with the top two in the league.
An away trip to Bridlington is always tough for Beverley, especially so when the form has dipped due to injuries and unavailability.
Add to this the fact it is a local derby and that the home team wanted revenge after their convincing loss earlier in the season at Beaver Park.
Beverley RUFC has been doing things the tough way this season, having had 4 narrow defeats and regular absenteeism through injury and unavailability, they still found themselves sitting third in the league with a fighting chance of regaining one of the top two spots.
An away trip to Leodiensian RUFC in Leeds, who are the only team to have beaten the previously undefeated top of the table Old Brodleians, was definitely an opportunity to succumb to a fifth defeat, given again there were many absentees from the starting line-up.
A game between third and fourth prior to the fixture was always going to be a tight affair and so it proved on a filthy day at Beaver Park.
Selby kicked off towards the clubhouse and straight away Beverley were able to sustain possession through a series of phases and pin back Selby back with some clever kicking by Phil Duboulay. With the lineout and scrum functioning better than in recent weeks the Beavers were able to establish some control.
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.