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Billingham RUFC 1st XV by our very own David Munns

Billingham RUFC 1st XV by our very own David Munns

Mike Brown2 Dec 2018 - 17:46
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(There’s) always something there to remind me – Dionne Warwick – 1967

This week has been quite introspective as I was rocked by the news from the Vale of Lune, which was hammered home on Thursday evening after quite a torrid jog around the block. Returning to the club car park comments were made that the VoL match report (a very good read) was content heavy and longer than mine. Now I am not a stranger to these comments having heard them regularly but not in this context but the mind starts racing. Was it becoming just a case of turning up, scattering a few phrases around and taking the plaudits (well random comments) happy in my little reporting bubble? Having read the said match report it rang true, the spilling was accurate, the issues of the day were woven in, a good number of descriptive verbs and it even dropped into several languages plus he seemed to know all the squad names sacre bleu, it raised the bar. We can all wander along a singular path happy with our lot but it is others, who then test our ability to adapt and raise our game. We should be ready for this challenge and embrace it as informs our continuous development; standing still is not an option.

A very wise man, some would say guru once said over a port on an away game bus, it’s a pity we don’t have any cheese. He also said there will always be twists and turns, how you react is the measure; this is bouncebackability. As I type this match report I note that bouncebackability doesn’t actually come up as a word as the spelling is checked (really !!!!), even in American so it may be a good time to trademark it. An early indication of my changed mindset came as I answered the door on the morning of the match, handing over the parcel the deliverer said “with great power comes great responsibility” which I took to be the response to my focused expression. I have to suspect that it might have been related to my favorite Marvel pajamas.

A slow drizzle and a grey sky (you even get a weather report with this one) had been the order of the day and didn’t look to be going to brake as I engaged in the pre-match routine. Even on the AGP the conditions would play their part, expecting a moist outlook I carefully selected pens with maximum grip but opted for note book over all-weather clipboard. Down at the club I was welcomed by MR T at the gate then moved along the pitch up to Harry’s hill as the 2nd team kicked off. As soon as the rugby started the drizzle ceased and it seemed sunnier although this could have been the floodlights. A good natured throng gathered with the option of two matches and discussions centered around all things ointment, apparently there is a cream for all things. Yes all things.

Luckily the midweek running crew was on hand so I had help spotting and pin-pointing squad members based on a numerical system plus various Billingham alumni comments to flavor proceedings. . I chose to stand rather than risk a soggy bottom on a bench, Alnwick ran out in blue with a golden top quarter to set up at the top of the pitch facing the club house, backs to Harry’s hill. The green and whites jogged out to play away from the club house in the first half and kick off, game on.
A nicely flighted kick off from Peter Evans (Capt) starts proceedings which looked to be falling straight down into Alnwick hands until knocked on which allowed Billingham to set up. Billingham looked to stretch the defence immediately with the use of dummy runners and long passes out wide. It places Alnwick back within their own 22 but a clearing kick moves them up the field despite a clean catch and counter attack bring it back to halfway. Billingham mount the phases and draw Alnwick offside, the kick to touch is taken. Jordan Foulds continues his impressive role as hooker with accurate line out throwing, taken off the top the quick ball allows Luke Wilson to burst through and commit tacklers. Recycle ball is passed out with Elliott Husband carving a line against the grain to bag the opener. Peter pops the conversion from close over for 7- 0.

Alnwick kick off and a clean catch sets Billingham up with the squad interchanging well as both the forwards and backs steadily move the ball up the pitch. The play is switched with a kick over the top, well marshaled by the Alnwick defence but the kick from outside the 22 goes directly into touch. Lineout is taken off the top but a mix up in midfield sees a penalty for obstruction. Scrums set up solid as both teams looks to get the upper hand, the steam rises in the damp conditions as they bind. Alnwick get the nudge and get another penalty as the scrum fragments, this is kicked for field position. Alnwick secured line ball and a quick juggle from the scrum half sees him test the blind side. Several attacks are repelled before Billingham are drawn in and despite not giving ground concede a penalty. Alnwick opt to kick and points are on the board for both teams at 7 – 3.

As Billingham kick off regular match report ghost writer Feathers passes showing off his Caribbean tan on way to catch up with the 2nd team game t’other side of hill. Alnwick catch cleanly but are pinged at the next ruck for holding on. The kick touch allows Billingham to line out on the 5 meter line with Dangerous Dan (1) Burns taking off the top with dangerous Dan (2) Dixon hammering up the middle to set the Alnwick defense backwards. The ball is moved along the line with Michael Whinn not to be denied finishing off over the whitewash. Peter steps up to sweep it home for 14 -3 keeping the scoreboard ticking over but not in the clock department as remains the same throughout the match.

Despite no passing tourists I manage to miss the next kick off as Alnwick take a quick one, kicks are exchanged then Billingham engage in a double switch move near their own touch line with looks very risky but buys a few yards and a kick goes to touch. From the line out Alnwick look to smuggle the ball up the blind side and then switch across, with an Alnwick overlap appearing the ball is knocked on as the winger looks to stretch his legs. As the scrum takes place the first pen starts to fail so a second one is whisked out of the pocket, just in time to see a Billingham clearing kick to touch. Alnwick collect the line out and set up with the forwards take the ball in hand, the Billingham defense stands the test and forces the knock on. From the scrum Billingham change tack sending runners up the channels rather than move wide which makes yards but Alnwick cover well allowing very little and Billingham are pulled offside. Kick to touch and a long line out provide Alnwick with a chance as the 8 gets free on the front foot but Billingham steal and clear. A quick line out is taken and Alnwick set up to move along the line, the winger gets a second pass that bounces before it gets to him and knocks on. Rucks are exchanged and Martin Hopley tests out the burners as both teams search for the next pivotal score. A solid scrum from Alnwick gives them a platform to move the ball out but its stripped with Billingham moving the ball out to an unusually quiet Mathew Kirby who is isolated but Alnwick are offside. Peter looks to move the score out by taking the penalty kick leading to some very odd stances from the defence as they attempt to put the kicker off. The kick is accurate for 17- 3.
Alnwick kick off which is well caught by Sean Richardson well supported by the forwards who drive the ball forward. The kick over the top is utilized to gain a bit of field position as the return kick is rushed due to pressure. Dom McAlorum soars to pick of the ball off the top and Billingham are on the front foot, the ball is moved to one wing then back as Peter puts a weighted kick which Martin Hopley plucks out of the air and keeps moving, the defence use his momentum into touch. Line out is sorted and an Alnwick box kick hugs the line as they look to move out. Billingham look to counter with runners and a tackle takes a non-ball carrier out which leads to a yellow as Alnwick go a man down. Peter opts for the sticks but the odd stances work as it goes wide. Drop out provides Billingham with another chance but the combinations and long pass are knocked on and half time is sounded with a 17- 3 score line.
Refreshments are sought out as a steady stream of traffic head towards the club house, off the perimeter path the conditions can be classed as sticky so the concourse with protecting wall are selected. Luckily I am provided with a revitalizing coffee, une chance d’un croissant? as I catch up with a few more friends in the shadow of the balcony. The floodlights which have been on from the start are now in full effect as is the scoreboard glowing orange highlights that the gloom is rolling in. In the balance are glasses, notebook, pen and coffee plus chatting and note taking, come on raise your game.

Alnwick kick off and Billingham secure under a good chase, like the first half they look to move the ball out and kicks are exchanged. Matthew Kirby sets off the attack and Billingham use the runners to create a few early gaps. Quick hands switch the ball moving the ball well into the Alnwick 22, the breakdown is well supported releasing Dan Dixon into space, lethal at this range he adds to his try count this season with Peter back in range for 24 -3.

Alnwick kick a little wider this time pinning Billingham back so the clearing kick is taken, Alnwick build the pressure and phases up the middle with Billingham pinged as they defend across the park. Alnwick take the line out but after a few ruck’s not making much ground nudge a kick over the top. A foot race ensues with Alnwick being quickest off the mark and to the ball, unconverted it’s a timely reminder that it’s not over until it’s over, is a fight back on the cards?
Billingham kick off is high and the chase pressurizes Alnwick to kick to clear rather than move the ball, Billingham stick to moving the ball via combinations and support players such as Sean Richardson to gain the breaks with the pack popping up all over the park. Jordan Foulds taking the ball on the far side to be felled by a slightly high tackle, scrum was taken and the backs line is primed. Nice quick hands sees Luke Wilson in space offload to Joe Evans who draws the cover to offload to Connor Fewster to bag the try, Peter dissects the posts for 31-8.

From the kick off Billingham secure and kick long to force Alnwick to do the work to move it up the pitch, so the effort is countering the attacks and the whole squad unite to tackle snubbing out any major breaks. Billingham turn over the ball and Peter Evans after a neat sidestep belts the ball up field and sets of after it, Alnwick cover well but are back in their own 22 again. The next period is to and fro as both sides play around the halfway line, kicks are exchanged and potential breaks are shuffled into touch. Play looks to be balanced until Billingham strip the ball from the carrier and a good interchange up the line featuring a one handed pass sees Billingham knocking on the door in the far corner. With Alnwick defending the breakdown with numbers the ball is moved quickly to players over allowing Dan Burns (looking like a young Magnum P.I.) to wander in for a try, Peter adds to his points total for 38 – 8 .
It is refreshing to see that Billingham look to ride out the pressure throughout the match but then in the later stages have the stamina to get stronger. The squad combinations help and the fresh legs certainly impact although the work around the pitch cannot be underestimated, Billingham are now testing the tired legs with sidesteps and the passing is starting to unlock the gaps on the gain line. Mathew Kirby looks to build on his impressive season but Alnwick have kept him very quiet. The players are running hard and Billingham are unlucky as the go near twice only to be stopped and the ball called as unplayable. A 5 meter scrum sees the back line chomping at the bit to unleash the speed, but it’s neatly picked at 8 by Dan Dixon who takes 3 tacklers with him over the line on the blind side, unconverted 43 – 8 late in the game.

Alnwick kick off but it’s out on the full so back to the middle for a Billingham scrum, the ball gets moved across with Luke Wilson fizzing a bullet pass to catch out the defence but they force the carrier out. The Alnwick line out throw sails pass the whole line out with Sean Richardson reacting quickest to clean up, Alnwick are caught offside and the kick is popped into the corner. Billingham apply the catch and drive which is well covered, the ball gets moved with various combinations going close until Martin Hopley applies a good line with pace to go over. Peter closes the match as he started with another sweet strike as the final whistle sounds for 50 – 8.

As the light dims it’s a win for each club between the 1st and 2nd’s and tired players congregate in the shadow of the club house before hopefully showering. A few conversations are engaged into as the club house prepares to bounce into the evening before I head home with a mind full of how to raise the notes into some form of free flowing narrative, the words content and length still ringing loud.

So no time this week for broken man jogs in, soggy under foot, no peace for the wicked, office boy in contractor jacket, steak pie smells like victory, advent calendar time, remember to get the milk, have you got your tree up?, treatment table regular, and moody vs. intense,
Don’t let a win go to your head or a loss get to your heart.
Match report by an innocent bystander.

Further reading