The Lions roar to open the season

Billingham Lions v Gateshead
With the Greenwood wind blowing across the park the Lions took on a very big Gateshead team to start their Candy League Challenge under the captaincy of Phil Reay. With an exciting mixture of experience and youth it only took two minutes for the Lions to take the lead with a well struck penalty from Elliot showing all of his versatility at outside half. The sheer speed of the Lions attacks had Gateshead on the back foot as they gave away a penalty deep inside their twenty. A quick tap saw Woodhouse stopped illegally just short and jumping up tapped and spun out to Hamer who hammered over for a try. The home sides game plan was working as quickly recycled ball was spun through the hands of the speedy backs with Aschettino at centre making good yards at speed and ensuring Keenan and Myres saw plenty of ball. Wallace having not yet left to further his education got his eye in and was hitting the target although a big Gateshead side meant some scrappy ball for the nine at times but the ever present Angus despite being strapped up (thanks to Bob Bell) supported well. Watson added another dimension to the side picking up at the tail and either popping or making bulldozing runs to keep the visitors honest with Reay and Burns in the back row supporting well. Gateshead were pulled every which way and it was obvious as half time loomed they were flagging with the onslaught from a free running Billingam side playing flowing, open rugby.

Half time Billingham Lions 8 v Gateshead 0
At the restart Chapman replaced Wallace and continued the good work in the open which is the trademark of Billingham front rows now. Youdale added his experience as Hamer made way and Sayers came on for Woodhouse who had tweaked a muscle in the first half. The transition was seamless and showed the depth of talent at this level to have such a strong bench with more to come. Just four minutes into the second half and Westall broke the line making good yards as the experienced import Scott showed through to take it on. Man of the Match, new signing Burns was on hand to take the pass from his fellow forward and with still a lot to do showed a clean pair of heels to increase the score. Angus made way for McCabe who seemed to show no ill effects from a recent injury and broke tackles in the way we have all seen. The game ebbed and flowed as the visitors desperately tried to change their game plan but had no answer when Sayers broke away supported by Brown at a gallop who fed Screen to inject pace and go round the last line of defence from distance to score. Keenan made way for Bragman who showed great promise last week at ten but settled for sprinting out wide but coming inside when Elliot made breaks. Armstrong was brought on in the centre as the game progressed and provided fresh legs to run at the wilting Gateshead defence. Watson made way for Oliver who took over at the tail and looked fresh and fit after a long lay off. With only eight minutes left on the clock Myres took the ball on half way with no room to work, head down and showing great determination he battered, twisted and sprinted through the visiting defence to score in the corner.
The highlight had to be the defensive work with Gateshead unable to break the line despite being a very good big side. A great display of flowing fifteen man rugby showing what talent we have in the experienced players, the promise and amazing skills of our young guns, a credit to the development regime at our club.
Billingham Lions 27 v Gateshead 0
Scorers Tries Hamer 1, Burns1, Screen 1, Myres 1,
Kicks Elliot Penalty 1, Conversions 2.
A great start A big Win, a clean sheet, four try scorers and a bonus point