Sam Coleman Try Secures Blue & Golds Pre Season Victory

The Blue and Golds beat Myton Warriors 10 -6 as a result of a Sam Coleman try just 15 minutes from the end of this quality pre-season friendly, played at a breakneck pace with both sides making light of the blustery conditions.

In this game with unlimited substitutions, Tony Spence gave workouts to 21 players and will take many positives especially the standard of defending close to the line.

The conditions played their part very early on in the encounter, with the kick-off by the visitors being caught in the wind and hanging in the air long enough for the home side to gain possession only 10 meters inside their own half. The resulting set aided by a penalty saw Sam Roe force his way over wide out and Lewis Straw tacked on the extras.

The game was very evenly matched from then on in. Both sides gave the ball air at regular intervals but the visitors had more of the

game going towards the end of the first half. They forced at least 3 line drop-outs and the pressure took its toll in the end. Some spectacular handling on their part saw Liam Ward cross for Ash James to convert. Beverley’s restart kick bounced into touch giving them a good attacking position. The ensuing set saw Joe Morley held up over the line and Sam Coleman denied just inches short as the half-time whistle sounded. 6-6 was a fair reflection of the game at the break.

The second half saw the home side enjoy more of the game but were kept out by a resolute visiting defence. Marc Donnelly –  a close-season acquisition previously at Myton, led by example throughout. Taking the ball up relentlessly,  always looking for the offload, he was also unlucky to not get on the score sheet as he was also held up over the line. He was a deserved man of the match.

Beverley got their rewards in the 65th minute as Coleman crossed after just one of many raids on the oppositions line. Straw could not add the extras in the difficult windy conditions. Tom Moor went close to putting the game beyond doubt in the 78th minute but was again held up over the line.

Beverley had then to survive a few throws of the dice by the visitors before they held on for the win.

This game should be the ideal preparation for the long trip to Mayport on the 15 February. Forever the perfectionist, Tony Spence commented Some great work in defence, just a little more polish is required with the ball in hand.”