Gusty Blue & Golds Go Down At West Riding

The blue and golds can take heart from a gutsy performance in this trip to the West Riding going down to a narrow defeat.  An ill-timed stag weekend in Spain and numerous work commitments  deprived  Pat Howdle of at least 14 regulars.

It appeared that this patched up side was heading for an unlikely win leading 32-12 15 minutes into the second half before the home side clicked into gear.

Howdle commented;

“I have no complaints about today even though we surrendered a 20 point lead.” Remarking on the depleted line up, he said;

“We could have easily been at full strength and have lost this one as we were playing one of the top sides in the league.”

Things started brightly for the visitors when the  kick- off was fumbled by the home side and saw them forced to drop-out under their posts in the first minute of play. A strong run by Dave Kitenge saw him offload to Billy Riby whose reverse pass went to ground but was picked by Tom Moor for an early try under the posts, and extras added.

Max Trueman replied with a converted try for the home side before an interception by Josh Pooley restored the visitors lead which Howdle converted. Moments later, a knock-on by Beverley saw the hosts take advantage and move the ball wide from the resulting scrum, and Max Trueman scored in the corner with the difficult conversion added to level things up.

The sea-saw nature of things continued as West Bowling came up with a handling error from the restart kick. Beverley took the ball from the scrum, and Josh Pooley scored his second try wide out to restore their lead. The lead increased when ten minutes before the break, Jack Humphries was involved in some crisp passing to the left which sent Liam Frenneaux over in the corner for Jack Howdle to convert. The score remained at 22-12 at the break.

There was danger for Beverley early in the second half when a towering bomb from West Bowling failed to be dealt with and was regathered by the home side but luckily Billy Riby was there to snuff out the danger.

Shortly after a timely break from deep in his own half by Jack Howdle saw Riby in support to score. Beverley then looked to be getting out of sight after a break by Alex Calvert set up the position inside the home 20. Steve Danby then went over from close range. The extras were added for a 32-12 lead.

However, a spell of pressure close to the Beverley line saw them finally crack with Ellis Bentley taking advantage to score for West Bowling. Then almost within a blink of an eye Liam Coe and Max Trueman completed his hat-trick to reduce Beverley’s lead to 32-30.

Then Alex Calvert looked to have steadied Beverley’s jitters with a try but was ruled to have grounded the ball short. In the 72nd-minute  West Bowling scored the winner. Adam Reardon took advantage of a repeat set after Beverley knocked the ball on going for the interception. The conversion was again added.

There was then several throws of the dice by the visitors as they attempted to salvage the game. Billy Riby went the closest a he stretched out to put the ball down but his reach was not quite long enough. Beverley could not force the all-important  score in the closing minutes.

Beverley will look to get back to winning ways this Saturday when Mirfield Stags will roll into town, which will be the main event of two matches at the Beverley Leisure Centre.

First of all, Beverley ‘A’ will take on Myton Warriors ‘A’ kicking off at 12.30pm to be followed by Beverley v Mirfield at 2.30pm.  A big crowd is hoped for in a feast of Rugby League.

Final Score: West Bowling 36 Beverley ARLC 32 | Reported By Nick Robinson