In a week where putting the rubbish out for collection has officially become the qualifying round for the Krypton factor it’s the final cycle of fixtures with points still to play for. It has been officially confirmed, using the club abacus plus a few fingers and toes that mathematically the Green and White are still in the relegation play off frame so the RFU plan to keep more interest right to the end has worked. It’s over to East Yorkshire for the last away visit of the season with two senior sides plus juniors filling two fun buses for the jaunt. Ionians are having a cracking season in the top half so it seems a long time since the teams were scrapping for points for survival.
It’s been a rollercoaster of a week, really warm at the gym on Tuesday by accounts and then a pre-shower gym on Thursday with a chilly breeze for the session. The beats got the session and joints moving followed by the usual good bants in the refreshments area post second shower on the evening. Lots to knock around ready for the end of season run in, who will be there for which match and who will be still in National 2 when the final whistle blows.
It’s Saturday and by the time I make it over to Brantingham road it’s already a buzz, a very good set up at Ionians and a warm welcome at the door although my attempt to nab a programme was thwarted. Out towards the pitch and the unexpected grinning face of Richie (no T) appears from behind a sausage roll, as many have commented the rolls have a deep flavour and get a 5 star rating from the travelling support. It’s a packed club house with many engaging in a range of refreshments as I head out towards to the far side of the main pitch between first team and Lions games. A couple of good chats on the way, The Lions look strong on the team sheet but Ionians seconds are already running tries in so that’s to keep an eye on. On the main pitch we look to be getting underway, Green and Whites are out, Ionians in the four quarters strip, main the middle in pink and touchline watchers in red.
Michael Fish would probably say a little bit blustery but it’s defiantly dropping the temperature by 5 degrees and its playing hell with the notepad. Looking from the far side towards the club house Billingham look to kick off playing left to right, lots of factors at play and it looks into the wind for the visitors in the first half. Billingham kick off, Ionians waste no time in returning long looks like the plan is to use the wind and make Billingham play from deep. Exit kick is good and the ball reaches touch just being the stand. Ionians collect the line out then look to drive it via a handy looking pack but knock on so first scrum. Its solid from Billingham which allows the ball to be given some air as a lively Jonny Horner tests the wing, Ionians cover well so Billingham look to switch to the club house side, Ionians are getting up quick so it’s a long pass just beyond a stretched interception but puts off the recipient, knock on. Intercept would have possibly run in for the try and the caught ball would have probably resulted in the same, we have a scrum. Steady again as Ionians look to move it up the pitch, Billingham limit gain so a grubber goes through and into touch. Line out goes long and Ionians snaffle then it’s controlled as the runners line up across the pitch towards the far side then back as they creep towards the try line. Ionians line up to go stand side it’s a cheeky breakdown pick up blind and under the posts, converted Ionians cash in to be first to trouble the scoreboard, 7 – 0.
Billingham kick off and Ionians return long but in field allowing Elliott Husband to measure up the cover and set away. Joseph Scarborough adds the gas then feeds Jonny who evades a couple. Good support from Billingham to keep the ball alive and moving, cross pitch passes find Charlie Evans with work to do but a strong run see’s him bagging the opening try for the visitors and open his account for the 1st team, converted from Luke Wilson it’s all square, 7 – 7.
Ionians pop up a contestable and get a hand to it but knocked on, Billingham look to break from the scrum platform and kicks are exchanged. Its back to Billingham from deep as the arm goes up allowing a kick to touch, line out collected it’s phased up the pitch as Ionians go offside allowing a further gain. Line out ball goes over jumper but Ewan Brown tidies up and Billingham go up the middle with runners, arm up for a high tackle. Billingham build up the pressure with Chevens, George Bolam and Ewan all having a go, clean out is good and Jaime Lane keeps the tempo ticking. It’s a long ball out wide and with the arm up again it’s a free ball which fizzles out. Billingham opt for the scrum to keep the forwards busy, solid hold then quickly out to Scabs who motors in. Luke is successful to add to the visitors tally on the main pitch 7 – 14, Lions need some inspiration in the other match as they are yet to score plus Ionians have several times.
Ionians kick off and retrieve the look for the phases up the pitch, mainly via the forwards round the corner but the 12 is set up to carry with pace, crashing into the defensive line its steady gains then the arm is up. With no clear advantage its back for the penalty which is popped into the corner, line out is good although the players lifting are in front of the catcher but once down its moving already so rumbles over the line. Conversion straight down the middle as the home team get back on level terms, As people are trying to get scores from around the league the Lions banish the doughnut with a Sean Wallace try, a glimmer of hope.
As kicks are exchanged its Billingham on the front foot from a line out but as a long pass goes astray Peter Evans holds up a runner in the tackle and Billingham seal off. Ionians look to push early so it’s a quick tap and we are off, Joe Evans in a utility role at 8 making heady way then its quick hands as Matt Kirby looks for an inside pop pass which is adjudged to be forward. Ionians control the scrum then it’s a long boot up field off a Billingham hand as it bounces into touch so line out Ionians. Line out is collected then popped to the hooker on a loop, gain line made its then on to the 12 at pace who breaks a couple of tackles and pass, run in for the try. Quick and clinical from the home side, conversion added they move to 21 – 14.
From the kick off its a box kick return and a period of posetion for Billingham, Ionians control and don’t commit to much to the breakdown, its side to side but not much forward momentum. It’s all very even as the ball is lost and Ionians look to do the same thing, after a while there’s a kick to touch stand side. Billingham line out secured and Jamie see’s a gap and its rabbit on a bike as he weaves through traffic. Looking for support he looks to air a ball out to the wing, Ionians hand goes up as the last line, intentional knock on is noted yellow is shown. Billingham have a couple of goes on the stand side, Ionians are pinged both times leading to successive scrums. Ionians get the nudge on the second allowing them to exit. Line out sees a high ball up the pitch collected by Elliott, the back line clicks Scabs feeding Mathew Kirby to run it in. Unconverted it moves the score to 21 -19, kick off is taken but Billingham look to kick it out once time is adjudged to have elapsed. An action packed first half and finely poised for the second half.
To try and get some feeling back in our legs the visiting party opts to walk around the pitch and soak up the atmos. It a different view for the club house, not quite the far side of the moon but gets the blood flowing. The wind shows no signs of dying down so it’s back to the steps and park benches to feel the force of nature.
The start of the second half starts in a quite a conservative pattern as Ionians looks to control the ball through the forwards, not sure if the half time chat was let’s stop this open game and just calm it all down. It sort of simmers along, there’s a few penalties with a little bit more for chat, both teams keep posetion when they have it but Ionians look to wear down the visitors. The momentum starts to shift at the set piece as Ionians get the push on at the scrum winning penalties and challenge the line out both really good platforms to set up. Billingham seem to be having to defend more and the elements are coming into play with Billingham looking for long kicks but this allows Ionians to set up. Billingham send a kick straight into touch which allow Ionians to set away from the line out, a nudge through is chased but Billingham cover to ground the ball. From the drop out George gets over the ball and clearly illustrates the holding on. Billingham penalty looks long and hits an Ionians foot rolling forward, Jonny is first to the ball and gubbers it back, Ionians knock on. Out of the scrum quick for Billingham as they look to stretch the defence on both wings before it’s into the middle as Chevens goings clear to ground for his second. Converted by Luke the visitors nudge ahead at 21 – 26 and that is the bonus point for National 2 rugby folks. Lions are still plugging away, Dan Westall try conversion from HJM.
It’s a high kick off from Ionians and a knock on from Billingham, scrum drive for the home team but no arm so they opt to send in the runners, its back to basics are they recycle then go again, must be close man in the middle signals held up. Forwards get back in position shaking heads, drop out and they reset, forward pass this time, a little frustrated. The Lions join the viewers on the far side still warm from the game, Sean Wallace with a second try at the death, a subtle sidestep was mentioned by someone. From the scrum Billingham look to kick long which turns the Ionian backs but given time it’s a belter 50:20 up the pitch. It’s the percentage catch and drive which is dropped illegally so kick to the corner and go again. Billingham defend the drive and it has to go wide, kick pass holds up in the wind but Ionians collect in space, try. Conversion sails through for the home side to go ahead 28 – 26.
Billingham kick off, Ionians try a couple of phases then exit, Billingham collect and try a couple but Ionians drive back in the tackle then gain the turnover. It’s all a little scrappy and there’s a knock on which gives a scrum and Ionians get the momentum plus the arm up. Into the corner for the catch and drive, first one is stopped but it’s a flash of yellow as Billingham go down a man. Second one sets up well and goes over but with a tricky angle conversion missed. 33 – 26 to the home side but a try will get a draw.
Billingham kick off and Ionians catch taking it into touch, Billingham have a chance as the game closes out after a kerfuffle with a quick line out. Once the dust settles there’s possibly another yellow for Billingham, line out is lost the ball is punted down field into touch and the final whistle goes.
Really entertaining game and Ionians went back to the grind in the second half to get over the line but two bonus points for the Green and White seals the deal. Across the season (still more to play) it’s been really impressive to see the young guns slot into the side, see the old guard still maintain very high standards and those in the middle put a massive shift in. Still having conversations about Billingham rugby club defying the odds, an amateur club playing week in week out against professional/semi-professional players, must be something in party Marty’s parmos. Our Spirit is our strength.
No time this week for 2010 bangerz, enjoying hospitality updates limited, Obi Wan Spoors, you haven’t done what for 48 hours?, still in winter coat, has your hair blown off?, horse sweep Hora, tour space now available, lack of shower gel and do you still write a match report?
“Push harder than yesterday if you want a different tomorrow.” – Vincent Williams Sr.

An innocent bystander.