The opening game of the 25/26 season at Beaver Park the home of Beverley RUFC was a thriller, played out to the death, literally the last kick of the game, the visitors Yarnbury RUFC stealing back the spoils in what was a great afternoon at Beaver Park. Although the result didn’t quite go the way of the Beavers, the atmosphere, weather and rugby meant everyone left satisfied they’d had a great day out.
Yarnbury are newly promoted which meant that Beverley who haven’t played them in a couple of decades had no idea what to expect. What they got was a youthful team that were brave and up for it from the start, carrying in the form that got them success last season. All the early pressure was from the visitors, and the Beverley defence was resolute up until the 12th minute, when after clearing their lines Beverley saw the ball returned 50m with a clever chip and chase, favourable ball bounce, and a well converted try for Yarnbury, 0-7.
Beverley started to get into the game after this wake-up call, not before losing Lewis Szrama to a suspected leg brake (good luck Lewis). On 24 minutes a quick tap and go on the halfway line gave Max Bayes the line break Beverley needed, offloading to Jacob Baggs who used all his strength to get over in the corner, unconverted. Four minutes later, Beverley converted a penalty and were in front for the first time 8-7. Two minutes later Dan Lee and Rob Smith connected through the middle and Isaac Keighley was on hand to finish the move, this time converted by Smith and the supporters hoped that this was the beginning of a more dominant Beavers performance, 15-7.
Not to be, the visitors capitalised on a penalty kick and then a converted try before half time, when Beverley’s defence opened up in the middle of the field inviting the big back rower to finish under the posts. Halftime, Beverley 15, Yarnbury 17, and the rugby was end-to-end and the game in the balance. An early penalty kick for the visitors who kicked well all afternoon, saw their lead extended, and then another on 65 minutes made the game a two-score match, 15-23. Beverley played better in the second half but lacked the clinical finishing to make the line breaks and mazy runs from Smith, Baggs, Hazell, Bayes and Housman count. But the pressure did ultimately pay off with a quick tap and go from debutant Liam Cassidy who powered over for a Smith converted try, 22-23 with 5 minutes to play!
The Referee then awarded a penalty, well converted by the Yarnbury no.10 which meant the home team needed a try, with two minutes to play, they got one, in the corner after an excellent line break and 50m run to the corner from man of the match Rob Smith, who just before he was taken into touch was able to brilliantly offload to another debutant, Zach Uduehu who played well all game and was always in support. The try was unconverted given its position on the field, and all that was needed was for Beverley to hold out for the final whistle which was no more than 60 seconds away from the restart, 27-26.
Alas, the restart went in favour of the visitors, and the referee awarded a high tackle penalty against Beverley to give Yarnbury the opportunity to steal back the result with a long but central kick, which they did, and then the whistle blew for full time, 29-27. The Beverley team and supporters were gutted having scored twice as many tries as their opposition, it was the penalty count and the boot of the Yarnbury fly-half that made the difference. Congratulations to Yarnbury RUFC and thank you to all the hundreds of supporters that came out on what was still a great day at Beaver Park, complemented by having the RFL Challenge Cup on site for the afternoon courtesy of Hull KR. Nex week, home again against Dinnington RUFC and afternoon tea if you fancy! #UTB.
