Beverley get the better of Marlins

BEVERLEY RL collected a hard-earned 30-16 victory at Milford Marlins.

In what was quite a physical encounter, it was the second half character which paved the way for the win.

Midway through the second half the home side, cheered on by a vociferous support, appeared to be getting on top. However, the visitors kept their nerve.

The visitors got off to a flying start when Ben Rowan’s astute pass found Josh Poskitt who touched down wide out and converted his own try.

Rowan was heavily involved again when his kick ahead hit a Milford defender for him to regather and send Lewis Harold heading for line.

Harold was pulled up short but soon after Casey Hutchinson forced his way over from close range.

The conversion was not added but Beverley were 10-0 up after just 11 minutes.

The momentum swung the way of the home side as Beverley committed a few handling errors.

After Beverley defended a number of repeat sets, Aron Jones Bishop crossed for the hosts converted by Ethan Newbolt.

Jake Payne then crossed again for Milford. The conversion was missed but the scores were level at 10-10 after 25 minutes.

After having to do more defending, Beverley then hit back.

Dan Rowan’s kick ahead saw a Milford defender surrounded and dragged into touch.

A few plays later, Marley Carroll forced his way over for Poskitt to convert and restore the lead at 16-10 with 33 minutes on the clock.

In a confident start to the second half, Sam Roe broke free and found Daryl Gregory in support who in turn fed Alec Hardie who touched down beside the posts. Poskitt converted to extend the Beverley lead to 22-10 just two minutes into the half.

Then Ben Rowan’s 40/20 gave Beverley the chance to further extend the lead but Milford defended well.

Milford then enjoyed much more of the game as the penalty count weighed in their favour combined with some spilling of possession early in the tackle count by Beverley.

Kiernan Tierney crossed in the 58th minute for the hosts converted by Newbolt to peg back the scores to 22-16.

The match then became a little heated and physical at that stage and Milford’s Jake Payne was given 10 minutes in the sin-bin. It was to the visitors’ credit that they saw this period of the game through.

Josh Poskitt steadied the nerves with a 70th minute penalty to give the visitors an eight point cushion and there was more to follow.

Three minutes from time, Ben Rowan broke clear from deep and found Will Wilson in support who then passed to Joe Rose who touched down in the corner. Poskitt sealed both league points for the Blue and Golds with a touchline conversion.