Braves Overcome Tough Dockers

Beverley Braves kicked off on a bitterly cold morning determined to secure a win against old rivals Dockers and a fantastic kick from Owen Harrison put pressure on them straight away. A Docker’s mistake let Braves get established quickly with flowing passes and strong running from everyone and James McGahey capitalised on this by dodging through the Docker’s challenges to score and give Braves the confident start that was needed.

Dockers continued to work hard though and did not give Beverley any breathing space and Harrison had to rescue them when he drove the ball out from his own line but, in true Braves spirit, a move followed that stunned the Dockers with Harvey Lazenby accurately passing to Jay Black and fast hands to McGahey who released Joe Wardill in his own half and he left the opposition standing as he broke free and ran to the line unchallenged and placed the ball down with a big smile under the uprights.

Stunned, the Hull side kicked off but the ball was taken without fault by Black releasing Dylan Clifford to go on one of his numerous outstanding runs with his head down smashing through the Docker’s defence.  Conor Egan moved in from his wing to get involved on many occasions and stopped the Dockers onslaught. The home side continued to battle and never gave up and a kick into Beverley’s in goal area saw McGahey take cleanly and release Harry Gray on another of his speedy runs up the wing.

Fast hands between Wardill and Kurt Pelham meant pressure was relieved once again when it was so needed. There were errors made by both sides as the adrenalin flowed and passion was high but the whistle blew for half time 0 – 12.

Dockers were out for revenge when the game restarted and went in with all guns blazing and their ferocity paid off when within minutes they put the ball over the white wash and converted to claw back six much needed points. This made it a fantastic game to watch and as they broke free again down the wing it was Wardill who halted them in their tracks and regained possession with an excellent steal.

Prop Callum Officer, who is consistent week in week out, ran charging through the players to relieve the onslaught by the home side and his team mate Bailey Foulston had some massive runs down the middle side stepping to fool the Dockers.  Jamie Branton’s tackling is outstanding and this non stop attitude paid off as Harrison broke through the tackles and with the home side chasing ran inside his man and over the line to give Beverley the edge once again as he converted his own try.

Beverley though continued to put themselves under pressure at times and had to regroup and hold their line again as the home side continued the battle and did not give up, again rewarded with a try out wide but it was not enough this time as the whistle blew on one of Beverley’s best defensive efforts in a long time 10 – 18.

Top Tackler Dylan Clifford and man of the match Joe Wardill.