In a week where the loss of the current pontiff gathers the headlines it’s the last game of the season and a veritable ding dong over in North Yorkshire with the Green and white mobilising from all corners to boost the “gate” crowd. Its bitter/sweet experience to visit the Apollo Capital stadium (!?!?) again as despite boosting the home gate for a season record attendance no concession to travelling support unlike any other club in the league, “you’re in Harrogate now so you pay full on the “gate”, quite a poor show. Never mind as its all Billingham supporters and players to catch up on, when asked I have to confirm I have flown in from my winter retreat to report on the Billingham efforts to secure another season in National 2. It’s very simple get a bonus point and Billingham continue to battle in National 2 due to their better win rate, so that’s the focus the pressure is on Harrogate they need to restrict Billingham, get a full house of points and also may have to rely on other results.
Interesting to read the “Gate” website in the week (always part of my preparation) that Harrogate being described as a polite little town (postcode area pop – 164,000), I expect that the “spa” is considered old hat and Harrogate, Tennessee (pop 4407) is a small town, Billingham (pop 33,000) is a town. There’s a buzz around the club house but I locate a bench at the car park end and engage in conversation with a couple of Fylde supporters who have opted for a fixture with something at stake, best wishes for next season.
Billingham rugby club recently lost another ardent supporter, Nana Walton, her attendance to watch her sons bedecked in the full Billingham attire was standard home and away. Chatting with Ben W I also got to know of her program editing skill, I don’t think I ever asked her opinion of the match report but I bet she would have been honest. As many said she will be looking down today rooting for the green and white.
Quickly over to watch the 2nd team as they kick off first at 2:30, two tries already as Gate open the scoring post through by a Billingham pass (I will not mention names) unconverted then Billingham nab one of their own, Ben Hyndman injured scoring and converted so 5 – 7 as I switch back to the main pitch. On the bank on entry road side as the hard grass pitch stretches alongside the pitch, a light breeze makes it colder than it looks. A Billingham junior tour party has already set the score board for a 0-69 away win which is hopeful as the green and White jog out. Gate with Yellow/red/black hoops are out next, looks like a few units and the back line look tall and international. Officials on in sky blue which highlights a slightly overcast backdrop, for both teams it comes down to this and my head swings from the theme to the Italian job “we are the self preservation sociality” and one man came to mo “ 4 try’s left to go, here at the Apollo”. So who will end up with a fruity daiquiri on the terrace and who will end up with a disappointing coke from the club house bar?
Gate kick off towards the scoreboard (now reset to 0:0) end club house start, Billingham collect and Nathan Myers stretches his legs up the middle, quick ball out to Joe Ross with a Gate hand knocking it into touch. Burns rises up to collect the lineout throw and then the ball is aired across the other way, Jo Scarborough collects the long pass, toasts the winger and draws in the cover. Billingham support well with a challenging strong run from James Watson as Gate infringe, advantage Billingham. Scabs again out wide on the switch and AJ up the middle, as it’s Billingham with the early momentum looking to stretch the defence and its sky blue arm up as Gate get up quick, too eager. It’s into the far corner for the catch and drive, secure ball as Billingham twist and Danny D goes off the back to break the whitewash. Peter Evans caresses it over from the left as the visitors open the score 0 – 7. The scoreboard is manual and as the game develops the scoreboard operator certainly gets his steps in, really nice to chat with you.
“3 try’s left to go, here at the Apollo”
Gate kick off, Billingham collect Nathan (3 wheatabix?) is off again and into space, quick recycle by Jamie Lane to Dan Dixon crashing in, AJ has another mini break as Gate are on retreat. Massive effort by the forwards at the breakout to keep the ball available and support runners line up as Peter Evans spots a gap and runs it in, self converted the small town team get the scoreboard operator out of his seat for 0 – 14.
“2 try’s left to go, here at the Apollo”
It’s a Burns collect from the kick off and the forwards look to phase it up, Gate not allowing the gallop up the pitch as they slow the ball down and challenge at the breakdown, Billingham off feet give Gate a platform with a solid scrum. It’s out and wide from Gate, they look really dangerous as they look to drift and ghost through the cover, Nathan is over the ball but arm up. Gate kick to touch to set up the line out which is hotly contested throughout the afternoon, Gate get a hand to this one and pat it down nicely for Tom Campbell to collect. It’s a further penalty for Gate then 10 for discussion but Billingham fail to find touch and Gate spread it to the club house side, Scabs with a tackle to curtail the flow. Gate seem to prefer that club house side and get a run of penalties which they pop into the corner, line outs are a mixed affair as they get pinged for a man in front then over throw as Edgy collects to get a bit of gain, Louis Groak stretches the line then recycle to Peter who pops a 50:20 down field. Gate steal the line out as kicks are exchanged, Gate to exit up field, Elliott back to the full back then A Gate counter with a kick straight into touch. Under pressure Billingham gat a hand to the line out ball and Jaime has to get a kick to the bouncing ball to retain, AJ then receives a high tackle up the middle so it’s into the corner. Burns collects and its drive as the arm goes up, tap and go as the forwards go close several times drawing in the Gate defence, long pass to Joe “snake hips” Ross to finish, another belter from Peter as Billingham withstand a little pressure to go 0 – 21.
“1 try left to go, here at the Apollo”
Tom Campbell collects the kick off as Billingham again look to break out via Nathan and AJ then out to the wing but Gate are starting to isolate the runners and get over the ball. Gate pick the line out and look to crash up the middle rather than drive, then slip out to the backs who go wide round the fringes, long legs glide up the turf to make it look easy. Try and conversion to banish the doughnut for the home side get them on the board, updated by hand (who needs AI?) 7 – 21.
Billingham kick off and it’s booted back straight away, Luke Wilson steadies himself and Billingham are off, club house side Scabs toasts one then support runners inside pull the full back over as Jamie Lane goes into space with the ball, he romps in to secure Billingham’s continued National 2 journey, who would have thought it. Obviously most of the crowd celebrate at 29 minutes as Peter strokes another over as its job done, “0 tries left to go, here at the Apollo” 7 – 28.
I could stop the match report here (I guess most would appreciate that I did) but a match report that doesn’t exceed 3000 words is not a true match report in my book. Gate kick off, Dan D sets Billingham away again, It’s JR out wide and the forwards continue to present Jamie with clean ball, crossing midfield from Billingham allows Gate a scrum. Steady from Gate as they move across to the club house side then pass into touch. Burns collects under pressure at the line out as it’s a pop over to chase which Gate cover well then to look to bring back up the pitch. A penalty allows them to pop it into touch further up the pitch, Gate increasing use the grunt of the catch and drive as they maul over for the try. Would love the man in the middle to check on the lifters blocking in front at the maul, but he’s happy to signal try and with the conversation added Gate start to work out a plan, 14 – 28.
Billingham kick off and start to roll the changes in, Gate looking to move the ball around a bit more and they seem to be aware of the runners. It’s a kick exchange and a Gate 50:20 that sets up another drive from the Gate pack. They move across the park going close as Peter E gets pinged for a yellow when defending the line, Gate tap and go so its close quarters as the big lads look to muscle it over, however it a switch wide that allows a runner in. It’s a good day for the conversations as Gate narrow the gap to 21 – 28.
Billingham have time to kick off, Gate gather and a penalty closes the half, time for a breather and I expect a lot of eyes are on the score elsewhere. Gate still chasing the points but they seem to be building a little bit of moe and have an emerging game plan plus have an extra man. A really good bit of chat from those around, can’t see any need to wander down the far end or frequent the club house at the moment so stay put and watch Billingham play towards us.
Billingham to kick off the second half, Gate straight out of the blocks as Billingham go high so slip off the tackles so they are away up the line. It’s across the pitch to probe the other wing as Gate then set up and go round the breakdown to score early. Conversion goes past but it’s the home team just behind at 26 – 28.
Kicks are exchanges as Gate look to play in the Billingham half and use the man advantage, AJ collects a bobbler as its popped back up the pitch and Gate find touch. Looks like the set piece is turning towards Gate as they continue to pressure the lineout leading to overthrows and the Billingham scrum efforts do not please the sky blue thinker. Gate have quite a few goes at the trundle towards the line, one is sealed off and as Billingham break out AJ cops another high tackle but Billingham can’t get a clean break ad Gate gather again, Elliott goes for the intercept but knocks on. Yellow in the eyes of man in the middle which allows Gate to keep the pressure on as successive attacks see the arm out again, tap and go as the forward go around the corner and close, out wide with runners over Gate on in. Converted the home side move into the lead for the first time 33 – 28, scores continue to come in from other matches.
Billingham kick off as Peter re-joins and Billingham go back to 14, a tough ask at this level to play with a man down for a stretch, Gate look to cash in. There’s a couple of knock on’s and Billingham look to get back on track with a nudge over the top, Gate clear and Nathan committed to the tackle clatters the kicker. As we have seen this season you sometimes get the clumsy rather than intent but it’s another yellow for the visitors, I think the noise from the 3 Gate spectators may have swung it. Billingham still ask questions gathering the line out with Scabs out wide round one then inside as Billingham play up the middle. Luke Wilson into the corner, Burns up to collect, penalty as Gate eager to get the ball, line out replay as Gate get in at the front then look to exit. Burns sweeping up as it’s too and fro between the teams at this point. Gate look down the club house side then pop a ball over the far side, Scabs takes the mark then exits over the dugout. Gate come back and Dan D levels a Gate player the arm is up which allows Gate into the corner, where they apply the catch and drive to go in. Not converted but the home side press home their advantage 38 – 28.
Gate return the kick off as Johnny Horner is in the fray it’s a long pass as Billingham are still looking for some advantage down both wings, Gate control and don’t allow a clean break but Billingham switch back and as a gap appears a forward pass is adjudged. Good Billingham scrum nudge is pinged by Mr. Blue this gives the customary kick to the corner, forwards look to lumber in but it’s out and under the posts as the home side get a clear gap and still keep the dream alive at 45 – 28.
Gate gather the kick off but are unable to exit as Billingham get over the ball, it’s into the top corner as Billingham look for a chance. Line out ball is secured Billingham look to make any gain as the Gate throw in the tackles, hard work at the clear out and making the ball available from Billingham as several attempts are repelled. Dan D having already had a go collects the ball with work to do but bulldozers through to ground the ball, Peter adds to his tally to make it interesting at 45 – 35.
Gate kick off and look to pin Billingham in their half, Billingham look to break out but are well contained as Gate get over the ball and go for the posts to make sure 48 – 35.
Still time for more action as Billingham counter ruck and force Gate to infringe, tap and go from Billingham but Gate get over an isolated runner and then kick it out to end the game. So both teams get what they want on the day but due to Hull pulling a win at the end it’s not enough for Harrogate. Billingham remain in National 2 on the last day again but wrapped it up early which left a slightly disappointed feel (it may just be me) as we were playing some really good stuff. Things continue to change as players choose other options, look at how to further develop at Greenwood road and in some cases take a step back, we reflect on another challenging season in a very competitive league where we continue adapt and grow. We continue to rub shoulders with those with bigger pockets but you can’t buy heart and that’s visible in the post match discussions.
It’s been a very long season and credit to the players, coaches and managers across the club for the effort plus all of the supporters and organisers associated to the club that fully inform the match report. Big thanks to Sean Scott for the bus organization that enabled a fabulous turnout to Harrogate, you should get a percentage of the Gate money.
So that’s it for another season, keep your eyes peeled for news of club dinners and other Billingham events during the summer. Soon be re-season, Our Sprit is our Strength.
No time this season for progress beats perfection, where’s my pen Dan?, extra point if you hit a tesla, new challenges, by mutual agreement, value for money, effort is free of charge, you were only meant to blow the bloody doors off, I knew you would turn up, hidden words, just say no kids, AGP advantage?, Wagga wedding and the search for the perfect Espresso martini continues.
“You have to earn you right to win,
With effort and togetherness” – Brad Stevens, GM Boston Celtics

An innocent bystander.