In a week where straits have been dire due to multiple blocking it’s the final game of another history making season for the Green and White. No need for the last match bonus point snatch and grab as both teams involved sit outside the RFU “keep interest to the end of the season” top and bottom sections so just a matter of finishing strong. There is obviously a lot of people to thank as the club relies on a band of unsung reliable’s for the day to day running plus sponsors who provide financial stability so that the amateur club can continue to thrive in the cauldron of National 2 action. Billingham windows has been a strong supporter for many, many years and annually host for the last home game so it’s a real pleasure to engage and share the final flourish (if it is?) in great supportive company.
Although sunny during the week the North East coast breeze has been cool so it’s still a couple of layers for many although Stu’s legs remain born free. It’s a good group for the old farts gym session on Thursday, rhythm is good with the tunes selection but I don’t think the body aligned very much. Refreshments looked good until the specials board was highlighted as inaccurate as no steak pie left, disappointment then turned to anger as some had reserved steak pie and took great relish in eating it. Apparently a kitchen corridor blockade and writ serving was narrowly averted by some calm diplomacy from the club president, you don’t hear that very often.
Game day and it’s a 15:00 start for the games so that advantage of knowing what points you will need for either a shot at promotion or stay in competitive national 2 action stays all in the balance. It can also lead to some unusual results as some clubs look to relax the cheque book (if they still have one) and try out some emerging talent which is refreshing. Even though the kick off is later than usual I arrive with 5 minutes to wander round the pitch as I forgo the snug hospitality at the moment and rock up at the mount as usual. Many of the usual suspects are in the snug and onto the balcony to enjoy the action but there is a few chats to be had plus a Preston coach on the mount which all makes for an interesting afternoon. Preston jog out first through the guard of honor, look like a handy pack in thin blue hoops and black shorts, followed by the green and white ( have you got your BRUFC Polo’s sorted for summer yet, seen all around the world - Marske to Magaluf). Last but not least the officials in pink with black shorts, looks like we are all set up and right on time.
Luke Wilson kicks off towards the club house to open proceedings; Preston gather set up slowly and box kick to exit up to halfway. First line out as Ben Hyndman airs the ball and Dan Burns rises to collect, ball is moved into the middle of the pitch and Louis Plews has a snipe. Billingham look to set the tempo with Ewan Brown bumping the first off then Preston off their feet to allow Billingham to kick for touch. Line out is contested and Preston steal, runners up then move it out wide to the stand side, forward pass. First scrum and Preston look to have the bulk, under pressure Billingham look to get the ball out and the runners look up for it, Joseph Scarborough with a little tester. As Billingham look to recycle it’s a knock on, it’s early but it’s fairly even, Preston looking to get the big runners moving and Billingham looking to stretch on either wing. Steady scrum as Preston get it out and go wide early then back across but not much gain so pop it up field. Jonny Horner covers and loops with Scabs but strays to near the side line as Preston take him out. Back to Preston runners not much doing, cross field kick into touch Billingham line out, Anthony Jackson brake, no release at the breakdown so back to Preston. Preston look to get on top at the scrum gaining a penalty aided by some visual indication from the 9, Preston look to gather a bit of uncle MO with a chip through and some good passing interaction but crossing out wide when looking dangerous. From this Billingham build to move up the pitch, Eldon Myers with a trade mark strong run as Preston slow to roll away, line out is ticking for Billingham but Preston have the upper hand scrum time so it ebbs and flows between the two. Billingham look to move the ball quickly as Jamie Lane digs and distributes, lots of graft from the squad to retain posetion as Ben H goes close and Jamie gets in at the dugout corner for the opening try. Tricky angle plus ball reset but successful conversion from Luke and the home side banish the doughnut after 15 minutes.
Preston kick off and Burns collects getting absolutely clattered not really in control of the ball, man in the middle signals mistimed so Billingham can move up field via a kick to touch. Jacko is again off up the pitch from the line out, fresh from an enforced break he looks to be raring to go. Preston cover and regain the ball looking up the wing it’s back and forth action at Greenwood road. Billingham look to get in over the ball and it’s out of the breakdown, Eldon spots and is in quickly. Billingham look to break out down the stand side but it comes to nothing so we come back for a penalty. Luke fires it down field as Billingham jog to the line out, collected it looks to be going wide then Jonny finds a seam and is into space up the middle, feeds the support runner as Jamie grasp a second in front of the club house. Luke pops a less eventful conversion over moving the home side to 14 – 0.
Preston kick off after a ball switch and target Burns again, he collected but the Preston counter ruck then set up with several strong carries. Billingham defend across the pitch, Eldon grabbing a leg as Preston see a gap. It’s a chip through that allows Preston to break the defence then it’s a dive and collect in the try area, 2 minutes after the last score. Converted both teams up and running at 14 – 7, all to play for.
Billingham kick off, Preston secure with the forwards return up field with a box kick, Jonny collects and evades chasers with some nifty footwork. Chance for Billingham again but the pass is to a Preston player and then a high tackle so Preston kick up field. Line out is dropped by Preston, Billingham retrieve and look to move it quickly, Preston intercept and Billingham get pinged at the breakdown. Preston over throw the line out, Billingham retrieve and set the backs away, successive Preston penalties (as pointed out by the club house end) see Billingham into the corner. Burns at the line out then a couple of phases as Billingham cross the whitewash but held up. Billingham collect the drop out but isolated runner allows Preston over the ball and they move further up the pitch. Despite a Billingham half chance its Preston who maneuver towards the try line putting the pressure on with a kick through and then turnover, its then along the line as the decoy runners bump and block the cover allowing the winger space to grab the try. Out wide it’s a good conversion to draw the teams level at 14 -14. No further scoring this half but Billingham kick off and it’s a yellow for Ewan at the first breakdown, Preston can’t capitalise so the half closes.
Time to catch up with a few people enjoying the sun on the mount, I can report shorts were being worn by some but I’m not sure it was that warm. Scores were coming in from around the other games and DJ Revell had raffle numbers plus half time score to relay to the crowd. The mount numbers increase for the second half with the great and the good appearing, some leaving their top table smoozing to see the action. Preston towards the club house for the second half, Billingham start with 14 and I’ve got an intermittent pen issue that forces a switch (still open for sponsorship).
Preston send one deep, Lauchlan Hill with a strong run up the middle as Billingham look to control and keep the ball. It’s gradually phased up the pitch then out to the dugout side as Louie Groark chases a nudge through. Arm up due to some pulling back of the cover so Preston kick for touch, line out is good but Luke is over the ball after a couple of breakdowns to reverse the advantage. The 14 men catch and drive the knock on, scrum time and Billingham have to reshuffle the front row. Kieran Clarke comes off the bench and the sunshine band are happy as KC puts the pressure on and gets the arm up. Billingham set up as Burns then Luke test the defensive line, penalty into the corner. Ben H to Hill, peel off from Jacko with work to do round the corner, bounces off one and takes another over the line. When he goes full tilt, there’s no one stopping him according to the press release, unconverted the 14 put a nose ahead 19 – 14.
Billingham are off gain after Preston kick off as they post Jacko through a gap and he’s galloping up the field only to be felled by a high tackle by the cover defence. Many around the ground feel this mitigates a higher penalty but the man in the middle goes no further. Line out collected as Billingham look to move infield and manage to keep the ball despite a strong Preston counter ruck that is followed up by a clever run and long arm from Eldon to ground the ball near the posts. 4th try up and Luke pops over the conversion and there’s a gap for the home team again 26 – 14.
Preston kick off, Burns collects and Billingham look to send Scabs up the wing but Preston cover and its back to the middle. It’s all a bit scrappy as Preston steal the ball but then knock on, this continues for a bit as Preston retain the ball but there’s no real breaks. Billingham are caught offside but then tidy up at the line out, it’s the Preston Achilles heel at the moment. It’s all a little frantic as kick don’t go dead and the odd high tackle goes in. Joe Evans trots on to add to his impressive appearance stats and move a little further from Brother Peter’s similar impressive stats. Its graft across the pitch now as Preston dig in so Billingham look to the wings again fashioning a half chance, A Preston hand in to knock the ball down or ball to hand dependant on your view point, scrum 10 to Billingham. Held long enough to get the ball out and quick hands along the line gives Groark space to ground, Luke dispatches for 33 – 14.
The game continues to switch back and forth as Preston kick off long, Jacko is on his bike again, high tackle then not straight at the line out. Preston seem to be moving the ball wider quicker so Scabs and Eldon are cover tackling to stop the breaks. The balcony are in full voice urging Billingham to keep Preston at bay and highlighting the high tackle, 15 minutes of play before Preston moving the ball juggle to avoid a knock on then find an overlap out wide to grab the try. Another tricky conversion slotted home by the visitors for 33 – 21.
Kick off secured for Preston and you feel that they may have enough time to really narrow the gap, its hands out wide and it looks on. Nudge through is chasuble but looks heavy and bobbles dead. Drop out is collected by Preston after a bounce two and they look to set up again, it’s a loose ball that is pounced upon by Billingham, Scabs nudge and it’s a foot race stand side. Looks like Scabs is firm bookies favorite, but the bounce favors Jonny who gathers and grounds. Unconverted 38 – 21 to the home side and there can’t be much time left.
But there is time for Preston to grab try four, from the kick off its Burns to collect but a couple of phases and it’s a no release. Preston tap and go quickly getting the final try of the season and a bonus point so finish two points clear of Billingham. The whistle sounds and that brings the 2025/26 season to a close with quite a seesaw encounter.
It was then time to soak up the atmosphere with friends, a few refreshments and some lively banter. As the scores started to trickle in from around the grounds who survived, playoff contenders and relegation was confirmed for some, it’s another challenging National 2 season coming up but 4 in a row that’s a achievement in itself. Massive season for all of the senior squads and players developing game by game so presentation night will be spot on. There are also presentations across the club, tours and rugby fest amongst other events so it doesn’t stop now keep your eyes on the socials. There will be bodies to heal, rugby to watch, stories to exchange, view points to argue, parmo’s to be eaten, gym sessions to attend and banter to be shared, who would want for more. Best wishes to everyone who plays, supports, sponsors and does all of those jobs that make the club function, Our Sprit is our strength #OSIOS
No time this season for MAGA (make Acklam great again), step up and carry on, threat of legal action, Oasis song titles, am I in this draw?, switching channels via remote, the youth of today, global travel beckons, pill count, BB pie anyone? and when is the first fixture?
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." — Dr. Seuss

An innocent bystander.