BILLINGHAM LIONS V ALNWICK 2NDS
It certainly was not the unlucky thirteenth for the Lions as hard graft and determination gave them a great win and a bonus point in an exciting match at Greenwood Road even though they took to the field with only one replacement and that being the mandatory front row. The conditions were perfect for flowing rugby as the Lions took to the pitch with a makeshift team with players returning from injury early and others playing out of position. However a very good pack showing a mix of experience and youth looked very tidy. A combination of power and mobility in the front row with Youdale charging at the opposition and Angus hitting anything that moved. Behind them Scott and Rumis providing stable powerhouse and good line out work. With the experience of Oliver having to fill in at eight and Raey and Westall watching the flanks it looked a good mix. Woodhouse returning from injury looked fresh and gave Armstrong at outside half plenty of room to make decisions. “Chappy had to fill in at centre yet again and once again proved his versatility and determination creating space and hitting the opposition all game. With “Ash” and Exeter import and man of the match Watkins out wide and adding pace into the attack it left Keenan to fill in for the injured Matty Westall at full back.
Keenan broke clear and hacked through after five minutes and Fletcher chased through to scoop up the ball and score. Alnwick came back fighting but gave away a penalty deep in the Billingham half, quick thinking saw a tap penalty taken and a huge miss pass to Fletcher who covered more than half the field to score his second on ten minutes. Alnwick went to their very experienced pack and scored a converted try before Armstrong slotted a difficult penalty to give us a cushion again. They came back again and scored yet again but another successful kick saw the Lions go into half time with a six point lead
BILLINGHAM LIONS 20 V ALNWICK 2NDS 14
A carbon copy of the first half when Fletcher got his hat trick after five minutes and then left the field allowing team manager Rob Hamer to put Cranston into the fray to beef up the pack as the visitors pulled back to within six points again with an unconverted try. It looked like history repeating itself as two props with a combined weight of almost forty stone fell on Woodhouse and his elbow hyper extended. Thoughts of the absent Danny Sayers injury came straight to mind but it was not as serious and he carried on Wallace making a welcome and timely return from Uni found himself chasing his own fly hack and taking the tackle popped to “Ash” who had backed up brilliantly, took the ball at pace and raced through to score. Both sides were tiring after a pacey game as Alnwick came back within six again but resolute defending saw the Lions run out the clock despite playing the last eight minutes with only fourteen following a yellow for handling in the ruck. A great win and a bonus point again, well done to all the players who had given their all for the victory.
BILLINGHAM LIONS 30 V ALNWICK 2NDS 24
Scorers Tries Fletcher 3, Ash 1
Kicks Armstrong Conversions 2, Penalties 2
Thanks to all the supporters who came give the Lions encouragement, they appreciate it and gives them that lift that can make the difference between winning and loosing.
Congratulations to “Coggy” Canham Man of the Match at BBOB v 3TM