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Colts sign off with a bang!

Colts sign off with a bang!

Chris Hyndman19 Apr 2018 - 02:49
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Cup final Joy.

Billingham Colts 2017-18 15/04/2018 Durham County Cup final V Gateshead.
Move on up – Curtis Mayfield (1970)
It been a week of building up towards the weekend, the touring party has returned, a packed training session was undertaken and a squad announced. Looking at the news on Saturday morning I would have been a bit upset if Trump and Putin had kicked off pushing the button before this game. As usual I will apologise in advance for the ramshackle match report, I was on double duties so the notes were a bit random.
A crack team had been recruited with Dave (assistant coach) making the balls, Feathers on the strips, Sean Scott as usual in charge, casting his beady eye over everything and I had the daunting task of filling the boots of the hirsute Jeff Moriarty. Not only stepping up to his high bar filled me with fear but a cup final to make sure all paperwork was in place, at least I would get a nice green jacket to wear. So the Durham County Cup final was to be played at a neutral venue and with West Hartlepool being picked it was a quite run for us, slightly longer for our opponents from Gateshead.
The morning seemed to drag but was very sunny and warm which made filling the car quite pleasurable. A quick drive over to West took longer than finding a space in the car park once we got there, the players drifted in together with a travelling entourage. This was further bolstered by Billingham alumni and followers from every tier of the club, a few looking a bit groggy after a cracking win for the 1st team and a swinging club house the day before. After warm up the team retreated to the changing room for various words of encouragement and to gather the focus, the usual lucky routines were employed although I think the dropping of the gum shield went too far Alfie.
A delayed kick off due to a mare of a journey from Gateshead just meant the impressive crowd had further time to enjoy the sun. Ref is in place with Gateshead, red/orange with blue striped arms prepare to kick off on the first team pitch and away from the club house. A good high kick ends in calamity as Billingham knock on and the Gateshead wing heads for the try line, luckily under severe pressure the Billingham defence holds, they take a scrum and manage to clear. Billingham then look to steady the ship with the pack eager to work the ball forward, quick breakdown work and clean passing provides the backs with chances to stretch their legs. Both teams look comfortable with the ball with Gateshead lining up strong runners that Billingham work hard to contain. Billingham put the pressure on, aided by a couple of penalties but the opening try goes begging after a double move. As the game ebbs and flows Gateshead are on the front foot with a penalty, opting for a scrum which they control they lose out in the ruck leading to a clearing kick. As they construct another attack they move it along the line well, but Harry B intercepts at pace and is off into clear grass to go under the sticks with quite a fancy grounding, Luke converts for 7 – 0, with Billingham being the “home” team as the crow flies.
Play resumes as Gateshead look to get back level as soon as possible, as always the ruck area is tasty with both teams looking to counter where they can. Gateshead mix it up with the kick over the top but Oscar is on alert to contain the kick and start the counter before the sea of red/orange arrives. Again the work being done in defence to contain the attacks is top drawer, with players rolling away quickly and setting up ready for the next one. A series of penalties are awarded with Harry B becoming the player to be yellowed as an accumulation of comments from the Billingham team reap their reward. Gateshead look to use the extra man and go up the far touch line to run one in, it had been coming. Unconverted 7 – 5 doesn’t give it justice so far.
Billingham kick off and are soon on the front foot despite being a man down, the quick passing sees Alfie find a chink, Murp in support then Alfie has another go, the support play creates quick ball and Sam W pops in for a try. Fez is accurate again for 12 – 5.
The balance of the first half again see’s Gateshead on the front foot with Billingham relying on tight defence and cover when the line is breached. Turnovers are rare and Billingham attacks are stopped due to not releasing which hand Gateshead good field position. The last attack seems Gateshead over the line but the ball is held up, a pivotal moment as Billingham end the half ahead.
Everyone takes a breather from the action as water is taken and strapping is applied and that’s just the coaches. Slight changes are made as the team work is excellent and Harry B is back on. More of the same please is the basic message. A quick word regarding the touchline support squad which consists of refreshment holder organiser, Kicking tee operative and vocal cheerleader all of which bolster the players on the pitch, fantastic. A big Yoddddollllll, to the yodeller that rings out like a call to arms at various times, I hope I spelt that correctly.
So second half and Billingham play from the club house end heading away from the bar, the drone (did I mention the drone????) has landed but the crowd is still in full tilt. Billingham look to up the anti with the forwards driving in with Lewis W, Ben, Harry B and Isaac all g making good yards. Jo, on at half time is looking lively linking with Leon, again impressive. The breakdown work provides good quick ball and the talismanic Alfie runs it in, moves like Radders. Luke despatches again for 19 -5.
The next passage of play is even as both sides exchange attacks and field position, there is nothing it until a Gateshead runner picks a peach of a line to elude the defence, converted the score is 19 -12 and this could go either way.
Both teams knock on when receiving the kick off which gives a good foot inside the territory and both teams make the most of it, however it’s starting to swing Billingham way as changes give a different back line make up which moves the ball more. Good quick passing gives Alfie another chance which he takes with Dom chipping over the conversion for 26-12.
The defence is now providing the foundations with Sam G is the mist of it and the back line backing up at the breakdown to secure the ball and continue the attack. Along the wing both Tom P and Lewis K are looking lively and the combinations are making good ground. The forwards drive it up the middle and nice passing sees Alfie over the white wash again for 31 – 12.
Billingham change tactics with a nudge through in attack but well controlled by Gateshead who set up in attack. Billingham attack again but knock on and form the scrum Gateshead attack up the wing to get a try right in the corner which is well converted at long range for 31 -19.
More action to come but Billingham defend well with Lewis K putting wingers into touch and everyone playing their part across the field. Billingham look to contain and go through phases as micky mouse ticks around to full time. The whistle goes to end an enthralling encounter which hopefully entertained everyone in the sun, who would want for more. Various celebrations and having been on the other sides so many times it’s no consolation but two very good teams. As you can imagine there was quite a lot of photo’s, handshakes etc, I will confirm that scorecards were signed and handed over.
So a really good team performance for players, touchline, parents and supporters, it was so good to be there and in amongst friends. This was a club win, proud to wear the tie and follow this squad of players through any results; this was deserved on the effort put in across the game and the season. Sorry if you didn’t get a mention the notes were very haphazard.
No time this week for nearly no strips, he remembered you from last time Harry, lucky pants seem a bit tight, Jeff is still a legend, Will Scott linesman, 50% conversion rate, the singing needs work, how did he get in on the photo, Green and white, it’s not that warm and everyone wears sliders.
“Sometimes the most ordinary things are made extraordinary, simply by doing them with the right people.”
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