This game was swiftly rearranged when Beverley ARLC’s scheduled opponents Orchard Park pulled out of the fixture as a mark of respect to the sudden and tragic death of their player Danny Orvis at the age of only 28.
It proved to be a baptism of fire for the hosts as they were outmuscled by a physically bigger and more experienced side. In a much changed outfit from last season the blue and golds fielded four of last year’s under 16’s side in the squad of 17 and showed no shortage of enthusiasm.
The visitors opened the scoring with their first touch of the ball when their wingman sprinted over direct from a scrum. The hosts swiftly replied when Steve Davidson’s towering bomb was pounced upon by Lee Bolton to score an unconverted try wide out. This proved to be only brief respite for the home side as they shipped a further 28 points in the half to trail 34-4 at the interval.
The second half was much improved for Beverley ARLC as they eventually stemmed the tide and special mention must be made of full back Ryan Runkee who made several try saving tackles and returned kicks downfield with interest often subjected to some high tackles in the process. The pick of the forwards was Adam ‘wolfie’ Norton who continued to take on a very physical opposing pack all game long.
Another youngster Nicky Cross pulled back a try for the hosts early in the second half to be converted by Steve Conley. Craig Hamlet continued the momentum for Beverley stealing a try from dummy half which was again improved by Conley.
The initiative was however lost when the restart kick was allowed to go into touch. The visitors then added a further 12 points for a victory which turned out to be not quite as comprehensive as the half time score line was suggesting.
There was positives for coach Rich Shaw in the performances of some of the younger players namely Ryan Runkee, Phil Hill, Lee Bolton and Nicky Cross.
Also the general way that his side showed guts in the second half which they in fact drew 12-12 was a plus. Beverley are again at home this Saturday to Orchard Park for a 2pm kick off at the Beverley Leisure Centre
