BEVERLEY 20 v DMPRFC 22

The game started off very much in the favour of DMPRFC, when pressure from the kick off, was rewarded after several phases with a try for flanker Luke WISHNOWSKY who benefitted from an incisive break by centre Chris PEASE and received the scoring pass with a little bit more to do before scoring under the posts 0 – 5).

The conversion was easy from Tom HODGSON (0 – 7) and DMPRFC were off and running before Beverley had even drawn breath.

It was apparent from the previous game between the two sides, that Beverley had bolstered the pack and although talisman Dave Worrall was absent through an unfortunate injury which may keep him out for the rest of season, Beverley were combative in that department all afternoon.

Beverley responded to the early score and attacked with pace and adventure and a little South Sea island flair, but when proceedings broke down well inside the DMPRFC 22 metre line, a high defensive kick by scrum half Zylon McGAFFNEY was gobbled up by winger Chris McTURK, who raced full on 70 metres, before offloading to centre Cameron MITCHELL for the score near the posts (0 – 12). Again, Tom HODGSON had no difficulty in the afters (0 – 14).

Still reeling from the early DMPRFC points, Beverley, to their credit countered with some skill and determination and roared on by their vocal and articulate supporters, scored a try through their industrious hooker (5 – 14).

There were some big collisions between the sets of forwards and penalties were exchanged as players transgressed in their eagerness to win the ball (8 – 17).

Just prior to oranges, DMPRFC lost the ball in midfield and allowed the Beverley backs to make progress, inter-passing well for a winger to eventually score along the touchline (13 – 17), which was well converted from wide out (15 – 17).

So Beverley were right back in it at the interval and were sensing an upset at that stage. However, DMPRFC were reminded at oranges of their form and engaged a deliberate start to the second half, knowing that the home side would apply pressure, which would need to be repelled.

Honours were even for the third quarter, as both sides tried to exert that would ultimately see them through this engaging encounter. Both knew that the next score would be crucial and so it proved.

Beverley were penalised for crossing in midfield and DMPRFC fleet of foot winger Chris McTURK caught everyone by surprise by taking a quick tap penalty, chipping the ball high over the sleeping defence, gathering and outpacing defenders to score in the corner (15 – 22).

DMPRFC winger Paul SHEPHERD was unlucky not to score next and only a try saving tackle prevented DMPRFC moving further ahead.

Beverley threw the lot at DMPRFC in an attempt to score and despite brave defence to the end, the home side scored wide out just before the final whistle, which is what they probably deserved at that point.

So the final kick of the game would level the scores. Everything looked set up for the draw, as home supporters held their breath and the DMPRFC were ready to blow the ball wide. The kicker set off, the kick was on its way, looking straight as a dye, but just short of the mark, as it struck the crossbar and bounced back into play as the referee blew no side.

Heartbreak for Beverley, elation for DMPRFC who travelled back to the North East with another four points.