Character And Discipline That Won It For Us Says Pat Howdle

Beverley ARLC have moved clear at the top of the National Conference Leagues after they beat Dewsbury Celtic 28-12 in what the club say was a pleasing result.

Beverley went into the game knowing their trip to West Yorkshire would present them with their toughest test to date, and the match lived up to its billing.

Director of Rugby Pat Howdle after the game praised the team who staged a second half come back to make seven wins from seven.

Howdle said;

“It was our character and discipline that won it for us today. When we went behind just before the break it would have been very easy to just roll over. It should be just the right confidence booster for next week’s long trip to Millom.”

Beverley started strongly with some expansive play after they forced a line drop-out from the kick off. Lewis Straw’s long ball found Sam Brown lurking out wide. The winger finished clinically in the corner after only 2 minutes. The extras could not be added.

Beverley continued to press but over-adventurous play led to an interception by the home side looking like a certain try. Lewis Poskitt did well to chase back in defence but the momentum continued and Tom Norris went over a couple of plays later. The extras were added to put the home side 6-4 up.

Both sides then had their moments in attack with both defences equal to the task. In the 32nd minute a Lewis Poskitt show and go sent Ben Atkin over to give Beverley the lead again at 8-6. When it seemed the visitors were happy to hang on for an interval lead, a break out of dummy for Celtic brought danger. Dominic Senior was on hand to accept a pass and give them the lead with extras added of 12-8 right on the half-time whistle.

Aided by penalties there was early second half pressure for Beverley. Lewis Straw’s assist sent the impressive Jack Humphries streaking away to score in the corner. Again the extras could not be added but Beverley were noticeably lifted psychologically with the scores level at 12-12. Again Celtic countered as a successful 40/20 gave them a dangerous set which was well defended by the Beverley.

Crucially in the 52nd minute Dewsbury Celtic’s Danny Crabtree was dismissed for showing dissent after being penalized for a high tackle. Moments later, after a few charges at the line, Tom Moor spun from dummy half to touch down. Straw this time converted. Mid-way through the second half he added a penalty. Celtic, with the scent of victory in their nostrils went in for the kill.

A dangerous break from the man of the match as voted by the opposition, Drew Ward saw him pulled up just short. Steve Connolly was on hand to score from dummy half and Straw converted. Straw also added a penalty right on the stroke of full time to complete a very pleasing win on the road.

With Beverley winning and their closest rivals, Clock Face Miners losing, the Blue and Golds now sit two points clear at the top of the table with a maximum 14 points from their opening seven matches.

Final Score : Dewsbury Celtic 12 Beverley ARLC 28 | Reported by Nick Robinson