In a week where you could stand outside Iceland in Billingham town square and see the northern lights (Renaissance – 1978) we welcome the Brough based Ionians to Greenwood road. Last season the two teams were neck and neck to avoid relegation resulting in some tough encounters. This season at present it’s a mid table tussle with one point between the squads and Ionians being one up in the Hull derby stakes with good early season form. We also benefit with a 2nd’s game as Ionians traditional structure like Billingham’s maintains a range of teams which benefits both sides so something for everyone.
There has been a distinct change in the climate which was indicated by the bracing breeze around the knees and cool touch of the kettle bell for Thursday gym session. Down on the usual numbers due to various reasons but the chat and showers were warming. A big mention for Jayne who has kept the multitude parmo’d and baggetted up during the week and then puts in a double shift at the weekend to cater for the rota of matches that take place. Jayne is stepping back from the kitchen and the hunt is on for a replacement but I would like say thank you as a supporter (irregular) who has been very well looked after.
Last season I was lucky to be visiting Hull at the same time as the away match (coincidence?) so watched and reported on a see saw encounter which Billingham were unlucky not to snatch right at the end with a double drop goal attempt. This weekend the weather report is mixed and dependant on which App you use shows scattered showers or 50% rain but it’s a fair day when I arrive. The car park is full and the usual suspects have returned from Sale the night before, with falcons still searching for the answer. First up to the mount as Ionians fluently pass in the warm up, lots of flat balls as they go from side line across the pitch rather than from half way to touch line. Looks like a good crowd is mustering as the Lions are out first on the good old fashioned grass out to the left. Hull Ionians jog out in cherry, white, green and dark blue quarters followed by the green and white led out by Ben Walton on his 150 cap. Officials are in sky blue which is hopeful, it’s 14:15 British summer time so big coats on and we are off.
Ionians kick off towards the club house with Billingham collecting, second breakdown and a home player is already down but play continues. Exit kick goes high and Ionians set up down the dugout side, aware of the player laid out after a couple of phases its moved out to the stand side as the winger finds space exposing the cover defence. It’s an early chance that Billingham contain but then penalty at the breakdown gives Ionians good field position. Looks like Matty White can’t continue so Billingham are forced into an early re-shuffle in the forwards with a set piece to contend with as Ionians pop the ball into the corner. It cleanly up and caught by Ionians and as Billingham standoff not engaging the pack trundle over the line for the try, the man in the middle is happy so the visitors banish the doughnut early on both pitches, unconverted 0 – 5.
Billingham restart, Ryan F into the 22 quickly returned by Ionians with a big boot into the Billingham half. Peter Evans looks for a gap and puts a little bouncer over the defensive line, just out of his reach to collect and Ionians regroup. Phases work across the pitch as they look to unlock the stand side winger again as Billingham look to drive back in the tackle, Billingham over the ball n the middle of the park as a sky blue arm goes aloft. No hesitation from the home team to go for the stick and Ryan pops it through, no doughnuts this week 3 – 5.
Ionians kick long and its Harry Beadling to collect, one of the emerging youthful forwards which must mean with AJ missing the average age of the pack is well down on usual. It’s a high ball to clear that hands Ionians a chance to counter and they look to exploit the stand side again, this is an emerging trend. A loose pass and its Billingham looking to stretch using the dugout side but its knocked on. The scrums are a bit mixed all afternoon with a late advantage to Ionians, it’s their feed at this one but it’s a bit scrappy and they knock on trying to pick the ball out the back. Billingham look to get it out as quick as possible and a kick pass sets up a Billingham break as Jonny Horner collects on the stand side but shifts on an in-field angle around his opposite number. Nathan Myers is in support and with a couple of hand offs Billingham are setting up as it’s lost. Ionians pump the ball up the dugout side and Peter has to cover back plus manage a tricky bobbling ball which allows Ionians to set up defensively. A couple of phases later Ionians get over the ball for the penalty and kick into touch. A scrappy line out allows Nathan to steal in the line and Ionians infringe to contain the breakout. Again no hanging about in the Billingham scrum and a log boot unleashes Joseph Scarborough on the chase, unfortunately a bounce into touch when the foot race was looking very interesting. Billingham stand off as Ionians hang in the air at the line out, the man in the middle not happy with this one, from the scrum Ionians drive back in the tackles to halt any momentum but stray offside. Ryan gets chance to bother the posts again, a clam kick and a breather gets the home team ahead by a nose at 6 – 5.
Ionians kick off, Billingham collect but the exit kick is pressured and a charge down arms sends it out to midfield, Ionians collect and look down the favored stand side again. Penalty as Billingham look to defend followed by a word from the man in the middle which evolves into a yellow for Edgy after a linesperson intervention. Billingham down a player and Ionians pop the ball into the corner as everyone suspects what is coming next. Caught, secured and then the rolling maul which swirls like storm Milton but causes less damage as it’s taken down, illegally per the man in the middle. Ionians opt to have another go, kick to touch tick, ball cleanly caught tick but then a quick pop out of the back of the maul as a runner goes round the corner. Man in the middle signals for obstruction, scrum down, Billingham put in with their 8 on the try line. Quickly out and along the line as it’s a belter up field with another Scabs chase to put the pressure on. With pressure relived Billingham look to switch the momentum, Nathan gets over the ball which allows a kick into the corner. Ben Walton is up for the line out and ends up brought to the ground, after consultation its adjudged to be taken out rather than a clean contest and the second yellow is shown leveling the teams on the AGP. So back into the corner we go, Ben secures and Billingham see if they can unlock the Ionians defence, it’s all tight with Ionians intercepting and send into touch. Billingham set up the line out again and its round the corner from the forwards from further out, the returning Dan Dixon gathers the ball breaks through a tackle and builds up a head of steam with the cover looking to head him off, a lunge and stretch over the white wash bags the try for the returning club stalwart. Ryan adds the extra’s as the home side extend to 13 – 5.
A kick exchange start the next period with a few little bobbles which are tidied up by Dan and then a long kick up field turns Ionians around as they cover and set up. It’s into the tackle area as Billingham chase and a double team stop the runner then Luke Wilson is into strip the ball, as the Ionians defence is not back or set up a quick spin and Luke is into space and it’s a foot race to the try line which he wins although the winger was in hot pursuit. Leaving Ryan a tricky angle, the conversion completes the cross bar challenge with a ring as the lines persons watch it fall on the right side for 20 – 5.
Still time for a little bit more action in the first half which also coincides with the first spots of rain, which quickly get worse as most head for shelter, myself and Budgie look to stick it out. The notes become very random as the rain becomes stronger, we may even get a snowball at some point. Greenwood road has a stand on one side for refuge and under the club house balcony is a drier vantage point until the drips find a way through which all points to the addition of dugout/toilets at the mount end, plus refreshments and food would also be most beneficial. I digress as kicks are exchanged and a mark taken, no South African scum decision this one is pumped back up the field. It’s Ionians who finish stronger as they ask several questions along the Billingham try line, as the forwards look to bulldoze over the line. Billingham hold firm in the worsening conditions until a bobbly nudge through is grounded just inside the fence and the conversion finishes the half. Home team unhappy not to keep that out but everyone heads for cover, 20 -12 to the home team.
I head down the pitch to locate a dry spot, even though big coat and hat holding the rain at bay the notes are looking very soggy. I pass the stand with recuperation corner packed with players in making their way back from injury and operation. Despite the harsh conditions and against the thoughts/wishes of many on the way round the pitch the report does continue into the second half as I huddle into the DJ booth with the great and the good. I must complement DJ Duane on both ironic and comic timing of playing The Beatles – Here come the sun at the start of the half time interval.
As peer round a speaker Ionians jog out, Billingham follow and set up to kick off towards the club house, the under balcony is packed and makes for a lively atmos. The breeze is swirly per the flag but mainly from Greenwood road across the pitch, throw in the driving rain and it looks like Ionians could be playing into it in the second half. It’s set up for tricky handling, 50:20 into the club house corners and the odd slippery nipple. Billingham kick long and the exit is sliced giving Billingham a good position early, Ionians take the line out and pop it further up the pitch but straight out so its comes back. A cleaner take off the line out and Billingham drive towards the line, Ionians disrupt to halt progress but Billingham retain, its across the pitch and a high shot clatters the 150 boy. A quick tap in front of the club house is checked by a non retreating player and the man in the middle is right on the doorstep of both incidents, yellow for the high tackle and penalty try is deemed suitable sanction. Many feel that the not 10 tackle is worth a bit more based on recent previous games officiating but its 7 points in the bag for 27 - 12 and the last try sweep hangs in the balance. I’m not sure anyone picked the ref in the sweep or can.
To save anyone reading this for another hour or two, both teams had chances for the rest of the match but handling errors crept in so on one really got the clear upper hand. Lots of effort across the pitch as Billingham had to defend their line from the inevitable catch and drive, stop the wide channel on the dugout side and if Ionians did get a gap there was always a tackle coming. Billingham did look to stretch out wide when they could and the roving back row were always looking for a hack forward and chase. As the rain relented many ventured out to lean on the fence as Ionians looked to speed it up a bit but kept running into Adam B, Tom Campbell and Dan so passes became loose, skimming stones came to mind at one point, the conditions must have played its part. Lots of passing but runners were stationary so were good targets, the match concluding with a speculative kick over the top from Ionians which Jonny Horner was always favorite for, the whistle sounding as he popped the collected ball out.
Another cracker of a match at Greenwood road on both pitches, Ionians seconds winning by a point so honors even squads wise but Nat 2 points to Billingham as both teams stay mid-table. I expect it will be more of the same for the return, so get it noted on the calendar asap plus it’s a cracking set up at Brantingham Park. A quick note to all supporters, away bus places fill up quick so get on the socials now and check on availability. I usually manage about 6 match reports a season so it’s halfway for me this year already, may have dried out for the next one. I do have an all weather clipboard so I’ll leave it on a which one will he use next time cliffhanger.
No time in this report for limited appearances, you see his face everywhere, NE weather app shows, re-retirement, bouncebackability, stand for the mount crowdfunder?, where’s Wagga, Falcons loan players?, time for gloves, only tell me when your coming, even brought gel, Pete’s children in need bandage, watch that toe, I thought they were your legs and chipolata.
“luck has nothing to do with it” – Serena Williams
An innocent bystander.