With the squad being cut from 24 to just 16 at the last minute due to injuries, late cry offs & poor communications it was always going to be a tough task for the new look Hippos. However, when we arrived at Mowden to discover they had a squad of 30, yes 30 that tough task became monumental.

Despite us only having 16, we fielded a very strong side with several 'young' lads making their debuts having recently come of age. These included, Tennant, Hamer, Evans (A), Guz and Coull.

The Billingham crowd were excited to see some old names too resurfacing such as Burgum, Stewart, Taylor & Fairhurst amongst the rest of the trusted regulars and they were not disappointed with a great first half.

Mowden made the early running but the Hippos defended well and were looking dangerous on the break. However, the pressure eventually told with the hosts crossing for the first score which was converted.
The Hippos pack started to show their class with some great driving mauls which were controlled well by Evans at scrum half.
The pressure was telling and eventually Guz crossed in trademark style to get his veteran's account up and running. Unfortunately, having had to borrow a kicking tee the conversion proved too far right for Taylor.
Mowden had a rapid left winger who they unleashed a few times but he could find no way throught the reliable Morrison at full back who defended like his life depended on it.
Eventually they scored again to increase their lead to 14-5 but when Stewart went galloping away around the outside of their defense it looked like we'd claw one back but his weary legs couldnt keep him going and the defenders caught him and bundled him into touch.

Half time DMP 14 Hippos 5

Unfortunately they had the luxury of making numerous changes to freshen things up and give a few of their better players a longer break. Oh how we wished we could do the same but we were boosted by the presence of Revill entering the fray at no.10 with the instruction to play the game in their half and utilise his trusted boot.
He obviously forgot that instruction as he proceeded to try and run everything in the usual Billingham way and at least one current 1st XV player watching was shocked to see the feet still work on the old boy as he side stepped his way around a few Mowden players.

Unfortunately with a lot of the lads tiring things started to go Mowden's way a bit more and tackles were missed allowing them to punch holes more regularly.

The lads kept at it and they all worked incredibly hard for each other despite Mowden crossing for 3 more converted tries.
We did create several chances in the 2nd half but the last pass was never quite there and it wasnt to be on the night.

Hopefully with a bigger squad next time we will have better luck.

Final Score - DMP 35 Hippos 5