Beverley welcomed Ilkley Barbarians to Beaver Park on this clear and blustery Saturday for their third game of the season. Another unknown quantity in terms of opposition, the visitors showed they had plenty of quality. After Beverley kicked off away from the clubhouse, an even first quarter saw both sides create good openings, but neither were able to convert the chances. Excellent defensive work from Jack Dixon and Jamie Maltas on a number of occasions snuffed out dangerous Ilkley attacks. It took until the 20th minute before Rob Smith conjured an opening from a tap penalty on half way, just being pulled up short of the line before the ball was swung quickly wide for Jacob Baggs to score 5-0.

A couple of minutes later, after a couple of penalties piggy backed them out of their 22, The ball was worked first to the left and the back to the right before a galloping Callum Harvey charged from halfway to outpace several defenders to score, Smith converted 12-0. Ilkley pulled the score back, as their play deserved. An over thrown lineout on Beverley’s five metre line by the visitors confused the home defence and allowed the visitors to stroll in untouched.

The initial stanza of the second half was again end to end. Beverley extended their lead in the 50th minute, from a scrum centre field. Callum Harvey went blind, fed Rob Smith who then sent Luke Hazell through a gap to score 19-7. Beverley’s lineout worked well in the blustery conditions with Josh Dillon, and Greg Whyley outstanding. It was indeed the lineout which produced the Beavers next score as swift ball was reset, and a short pass saw prop Chris Holwell dance around three players from ten yards out to score. 26-7.

Beverley now enjoyed their best period of the match as Jake Boardman scored a brace the first off of a well worked move to the left-hand side. Then a trademark mazy run from his own 22 to extend the lead to 40-7. The match now became a bit scrappy and irritable as first Ilkley a yellow card, and then Beverley two yellow cards, had their numbers reduced. Ilkley used this numerical superiority to score a well-deserved second try 40-14. However, it was the Beavers who had the last word. Alex Calvert pounced on a loose ball in midfield and kicked on for Jamie Maltas to score in his third consecutive game to make the final score 47-14. M.O.M Jacob Baggs for his usual robust carrying.

Stephanie Hazell.