Pontefract prove too good for Beverley

BEVERLEY suffered a 22-3 defeat at third-placed Pontefract in

60mph gales with only the briefest of respites between sleet storms that stung the skin.

Almost all the ball was held in the hands of the home team, proving the cliché to be true that you cannot win a game of rugby without possession.

There were significant periods when Beverley found themselves pinned down in their own half, and having to defend resolutely.

A makeshift Beverley team did themselves proud against stronger opposition, playing at home.

The first converted try came after 20 minutes to the home team’s flyhalf after constant pressure from the kick-off.

This pressure was partly due to the issue of a yellow card harshly awarded to Dan Lee who knocked the ball forward on a Pontefract attacking play, deemed to be deliberate.

Ten minutes later Beverley clawed back with their only points of the afternoon - a converted penalty from Phil Duboulay.

The conditions certainly didn’t help Beverley, known for their fast backs and slick hands. When it did go to hand, it finished with handling errors, regardless of which team had the ball.

The Beverley forwards, however, were matching man for man against a much bigger pack, and winning some good ball at the breakdowns and set pieces and trailed only 7-3 at half-time.

Ten minutes into the second half, a converted penalty followed eight minutes later with a try, unconverted to the home team took the game away from Beverley, given they were facing into the wind and going up the hill on a very heavy pitch.

Beavers never conceded defeat and showed determination and grit that was missing from earlier games this season. In the last 20 minutes Beverley did actually enjoy some possession after a series of infringements that led to a yellow card for the home team.

But with five minutes to go the home side took advantage of the wind, kicking very long from deep in their own half, the ensuing 70m kick chase was dotted down to seal the 22-3 victory.

There were standout displays from Danny Morris, Callum Harvey (man of the match), Logan Mckenzie and Dan Lee, but all players wore their hearts on the sleeve and tackled doggedly for the full game.

It was a contest that marked the last match in charge for head coach Sam Kerry, who is leaving the club to focus on soon-to-be expanding family duties.