Harrogate were also full of confidence with 6 unbeaten games under their belt. It was touch and go to whether the game was to go ahead following this weeks downpours flooding part of Yorkshire. Compliments to Harrogate's ground staff, they did just enough to get the game on.

Harrogate started on the front foot. Their BIG pack dominating early phases. It was that BIG pack that set a platform for their first and the games opening score. Its not often I have said that Billingham went back over in a scrum, in fact i cant recall a time they have for a number of seasons. Unfortunately today was the day where Harrogate got the upper hand. An early scrum on the 5 metre line following a held up score, an 8 pick up, offload to 9 who drew in the advancing Matt Kirby for their winger to score. Conversion missed

From the resulting kick off Billingham started strongly. Strong defence from McAlorum and Whinn saw a turnover over ball. Foley quickly released the ball to Pete Evans who in turn found Wilson who released fleet footed Husband to score in the corner for Billinghams first of the game. Conversion missed.

Billingham kept the momemtum going and quickly found themselves in Harrogates half. Breaks by Myers and Jackson up the middle allowed Kirby to step a couple of forwards before Harrogate were penalised for lying on the ball. Unfortunately whilst the kick was being placed, elder Evans, Joe was being carried off and was seen later with a heavily strapped knee. Many thought without his defensive strengths it might give Gate the advantage. Kirby stepped inside to 13 and the experienced Hopley emerged at 14.

Peter Evans made no mistake with the resulting penalty to take at 5-8 lead at the 33 minute mark.

Harrogate did have the last word of the first half with their pack. A line-out from Billinghams 5 metre, no competition from Billingham (slightly misjudged) allowed their second row to barrell over the line. Conversion kicked.

Half time: 12- 8

The teams emerged from under the club house with their cleverly worked changing rooms to start the second half. Billingham ran from the changing rooms with energy ready to take battle. Obviously not phased by the score card.

Billingham were quickly on the front foot when Luke Wilson found a gap up the middle of the Gate centre pairing, quickly offloaded to Nathan Myers who swatted away 2 would be tacklers before finding Anth Jackson who made a further 10 metres before being tackled. Quick ball by Foley to skipper Evans who gave what can be only described as a delightful cross field kick into the waiting Hopleys arms who scampered into the corner evading the despairing Harrogate defence. Conversion missed. 12-13

With the scoreboard favouring Billingham it re-energised the youthful outfit and they were once again making dents in Gates big defence. Sunley, Foulds, Clark and Burns atthe forefront of taking the ball forward.It was then once the ball was in the hands of Wilson who spotted another gap finding Husband that Gate decided to slow things down by laying on the ball in their own 22. Referee called their 6 over and showed the yellow card. Sensibly skipper pointed for the posts. Penalty kicked 12- 16

Harrogate again kicked off. Billinghams defence was stern. The subs had come on. Spoors for Clark and Walton for the bandaged McAlorum. Walton as usual was throwing himself about. His energy was much welcomed to a tiring Billingham defence, However it was one too many 'chop' tackles that seen his appearance only last 7 minutes when he had to be replaced by McAlorum much to the dismay of the youngster.

The play had been stopped. A scrum set. Jackson fielded quick ball to Evans who played Wilson through the middle. Foley found Whinn to burst another whole in the tiring defence of Gate. More phases from Burns, Sunley and Spoors allowed Peter Evans to show off his skills by knocking over a 35 metre drop goal which caught all but Peter by surprise!.

The game drawing to a close saw a sour note in what was a highly fought game with a Gate player shown the red card for a verbal attack on the referee.

Still there was time on the clock... Billingham had to hold out. Harrogate were now on the attack. Billingham had other ideas. Turnover ball was won, switch of play by Foley found Wilson who drew his defender and found Kirby, an attempted kick through by Kirby was quickly foiled by Gate but the ball landed in Myers hands who barrelled 10 metres up the pitch. With the calls of time sir, time sir from the Billingham player.... a nod by the referee Foley span the ball to Evans who booted the ball (on the road) with pure delight and relief.

A fab 13-19 win.

We came, we fought and we conquered.

Well done to the referee who was very good in difficult conditions (2 unbeaten sides)

Thank you to all the travelling support. You were really that extra man who got the boys over that line.

We go again next week vs Carlisle at home.

#OSIOS