Depleted Beverley lose to Hensingham
DEPLETED Beverley went down 36-12 at promotion favourites Hensingham.
They were well in the contest at the break trailing, just 8-2, and it was only in the last five minutes that they shipped 12 points.
The visitors did not get possession for the opening 10 minutes as the home side went in for the kill very early. They found themselves 8-0 down after 10 minutes courtesy of unconverted touchdowns from Mathew Williams and Josh Rogerson.
The visitors gradually edged their way back into the contest. On the half hour, a good break from Ben Clark set up the position for a quality end to the set. A line drop out was forced shortly after, prompting further raids on the home side’s line.
A promising attacking set ended with Archie Harwood’s long pass to Joe Rose being ruled forward as the winger touched down.
The hosts looked as if they might extend their lead as they broke down the middle. Lewis Miller and Josh Poskitt did well to bring the supporting player to ground and save the day.
Soon after, Beverley’s Daryl Gregory was sin-binned for a professional foul but there was further incident. An interception from Ben Rowan almost looked as though he might pull points back for the visitors.
The cover came across to deny him but as Beverley attempted to move the ball quickly an attempted trip by a Hensingham player saw him also sin-binned and both sides went down to 12 men. Josh Poskitt stroked over the resulting penalty to reduce the arrears to 8-2 at the break.
Five minutes into the second half something of a crucial blow was struck for the home side. A kick downfield was fielded by their winger who went on a mazy run which ended with the supporting Callum Morgan touching down in the opposite corner. Jay Weatherill this time converted to stretch them out to 14-2.
Beverley hit back with an attacking set which ended with Will Wilson forcing his way over wide out in the 50th minute. The extras were not added.
The hosts regained possession from the restart. Whilst the resulting set was well defended, the pressure eventually told after 55 minutes.
Jack Kellet crossed for an unconverted try to stretch the score to 18-6. Reuben Butterworth added another score in the 65th minute, this time improved by Weatherill.
With the deficit now at 24-6, Beverley again refused to lie down. They were rewarded when man of the match Marley Carroll did well to force his way over from close range for Poskitt to convert.
Carroll stood out in the second half alongside youngster Alfie Baxter and the countless carries of the ball from Jonny Norman.
Still in it at 24-12 with nine minutes plus stoppage time remaining, the visitors unfortunately allowed the restart kick to bounce into touch.
The closing minutes saw Gareth Gates and Jay Weatherill cross for the hosts, both converted by Weatherill.
As Beverley’s walking wounded ran out of petrol combined with some cruel bounces of the ball, the late points perhaps made the margin of defeat a little harsh.