In a week where Donald has been in touch to demand I had over my width swimming certificate (from Billy baths) it’s the first game of the year after adverse conditions forced cancellation to ensure player and spectator safety last week. Happy New Year to all the readers and hope you both had a very good festive period plus suitably attired ready for the business end of the season.
It’s been a slow start to the year with illness and the changeable weather giving ample excuses to avoid interaction but it was down of a gym session and catch up on Thursday. A massive tonic plus 70’s tunes leading to funkadelic session however I’m not sure I felt that flexible on Friday morning. It’s into the new year with County, Newcastle and England squad call ups for many, new jobs for some, new hips for others and back to the graft of the competitive league action. The Green and Whites had a mixed December so will be looking for strong performances in a pivotal New year period looking to get points on the board now as games start to run out.
The day starts in an overcast mood, a light mist fringes the moors on a quick jaunt out to Thirsk, rather than clearing it looks to have rolled in on the way back to TS22 as I prepare to head across to Darlington to check out stadium rugby. As DMP dropped into National 2 this season I have been intrigued by the “come and play in a massive stadium” sales pitch and why would it attract players, time to find out. As I muster the various stationary required the sight of the fading and rain soaked Hull Ionians match report which went unpublished catches my eye, well I’m outta time with that. Over to Darlington and the stadium looms out of the mist as I arrive, just time to quickly say hello to a few then into the arena to try and find a seat. There’s a good buzz just down one side (make your own jokes) and the Greenwood road faithful are out in full force plus some DMP regulars.
Billingham jog out Green and White hoops followed by DMP blue hoops, officials in pink make their way out with DMP playing left to right to start the match. Game on, it’s a contestable one from DMP Burns collects securely and Billingham look to air the ball across to the far side. DMP into the breakdown quickly and over the ball to gain the no release penalty which enables them to move down the touchline via the boot. DMP look to exert their size with a catch and drive, looks well drilled and as we have seen from others a tactic to revert to over and over again. Ball is however lost and DMP infringe trying to get it back, Billingham clear up field and secure the ball at the line out. It’s a Billingham probe up the middle, DMP tackle well and look to disrupt at the breakdown arm is up plus a little more for constructive feedback. Luke slots into the corner, line out Billingham with DMP players and audience a little irritated. Line out is good Burns collects as DMP look to counter the drive, Ben Hyndman with a quick burst goes close as Billingham forwards work around the corner and work hard to make the ball available, Tom Campbell looks to reach then recycles. Arm is up to signal advantage as it goes out and Eldon
2 / 4
Myers rounds the defence to open the scoring. Unconverted the visitors banish the doughnut early 0 – 5.
Burns collects the kick off and Billingham belt it up field to clear the lines, DMP collect and look to counter Billingham cover and look to have forced a knock on but it’s the other way. Scrum, DMP feed but they are too eager and go early, way before the ball and it’s surprising but the sticks are indicated. Kick is good as Billingham move to 0 - 8
Kickoff is quickly returned as DMP succumb to a series of off sides during which Ben H ponders on line out ball selection, it’s all a bit frantic with chasing charge downs not late but offside and tackling jumping players in the air. There’s a quick Billingham tap which DMP cover well forcing a foot in touch but its steady momentum by Billingham towards the try line, DMP look to counter ruck but opt to pull in the scrum half leading to an arm up. Luke opts to get some points on the board with another penalty right in front of the posts 0 – 11.
DMP kick off which goes straight out but they get a good nudge at the scrum and despite having a chance of a break, a pop over the top which bobbles into touch its back for the penalty at half way. Kick to touch gives good field position which sets up the catch and drive, Billingham look to have sealed off but no maul called so DMP get another go into the corner. It’s all a bit scrappy as the dive goes down then Billingham get hands on the ball as DMP decide not to release, clearing kick up the line. Line out is good as DMP creep off side again next one is lost and it’s a boot up field as Billingham re-gather, no breaks but Billingham are making good headway, Jamie Lane keeping it moving and the odd quick interjection. Ball is available as the forwards look for the gap, Kieran Clark bags the team try. Unconverted 0 -16 and yes, everyone is looking at each other as the DJ attempts to “make some noise”.
Tom Campbell receives the DMP kick off and Pater E sends a spiral up the touch line to clam it down. DMP look to get time with the ball, no significant progress but developing a rhythm and moving the ball about in open play. Billingham look to counter ruck at the breakdown to disrupt the DMP flow and get pinged. It’s into the corner but the drive gets dropped early so DMP have to phase the ball patently, they retain posetion and go over just outside the posts. Converted try brings the home team on to the board 7 – 16.
Late in the first half and DMP are gaining a bit of mo, Billingham kick off long and look to contain DMP. High box kick and DMP contest and knock on, if it had been a clean catch I think he would have been away. Scrum Billingham feed and the ball gets stuck so is given an illegal help on its way out free kick. DMP hoist the ball and chase, Billingham collect and DMP are offside as Eldon see’s a gap makes good inroads then the ball is back across for Jo Scarborough to ask questions with Harry Rickard in support. DMP look to have covered well but the arm is aloft again and Billingham go for the corner. Line out secured, drive forms and Nathan Myers splits off a strong run then KC is off again as DMP fail to roll away. Tap and go as Billingham continue to stress the defence, and DMP yellow 3 times in 3 minutes. Billingham use the extra men to get Eldon around the fringes to bag his second, Luke Wilson conversion 7 – 23 to the Green and White.
3 / 4
DMP kick off, Tom C collection Peter up the line, bizarrely DMP look more fluid with fewer players as they look to use some good runners and a little chip over the top to gain territory and garb a penalty which is sent neatly over the posts for 10 - 23.
Kicks are exchanged quickly as Scabs looks for a gap and Luke looks to weave around the DMP cover but DMP are in a tight holding pattern, nothing risky just honest. Billingham knock on and DMP look to hold a steady scrum then boot down field. Ball is caught inside 22 but feet stray outside for the kick so it’s brought back. Line out is lost so Billingham look along the line then punt forward, DMP collect send it back half time sounds. Lots of talking points in an action packed first half from both sides, always good to chat with the home support and of course the usual suspects including those doing shuttles to keep the pins moving. Not really sure which of the supporters is more surprised but it gives a chance for exchanges as we wander about.
It’s a quick turnaround and we are out for the second half, who will the half time break and chat favour? Billingham to kick of left to right with the backdrop of empty seats behind, it’s a very strange atmosphere, it’s a great crowd but it just seems to evaporate into the structure despite the DJ, it’s like no one can hear you scream. It’s a low kick off which DMP collect, arm up for a high tackle as DMP get an early chance to move up the pitch. Line out secured as DMP look up the middle and Billingham counter forcing a knock on, not sure if we are back to full strength yet? First scrum of the half DMP are on the front getting the nudge and penalty allowing the kick to touch. Line out then drive as DMP go back to basics, stopped short they go across the pitch with a combination of passes, a couple of sneaky smuggles the high tackle signaled but DMP finish it off. Clean boots for DMP as the conversion sails over, 17 – 23 momentum to DMP.
DMP body language has clearly changed and they look eager, aided by a quick penalty they are back knocking on the door. Catch and drive to set it up then it’s a good passing combination in the line with Billingham counter but sucked in a kick pass to the far wing exposes the space. DMP make it look easy for the try and well converted they get a nose ahead for the first time 24 – 23, very positive for the home team this half.
Billingham kick off and Nathan M having a really solid game retrieves as the Billingham forwards look to combine and edge forward. DMP look to counter but Billingham retain Adam Brown makes a break drawing in the cover defence. Still needs to be set up as Lauchlan Hill strides over the whitewash for the try and the bonus point at 24 – 30.
From the kick off Billingham look to set up and Eldon looks for a gap through the middle but DMP shut the door. Billingham look to punt up the pitch with an awkward bouncer which DMP collect under pressure, a clear forward pass inside unleashes the runner who deftly nudges over the top then collects to go in for the try. Even the DMP supporters nearby raise eyebrows and comment but it’s given as no sideline intervention, converted DMP go ahead again 31 -30.
Billingham kick off, DMP collect but opt to box kick up field Billingham knock on. Both side trying hard to curtail each other knock on and offside penalties allow Billingham a foot hold as the steadily move forward. High tackle allows the kick into the corner and from the line out it’s a collect spin to evade the counter and in, try signaled. Billingham walk back to take the conversion and stop due to DMP injury, hold in there is an intervention from the side, try
4 / 4
disallowed. DMP player is up gingerly but up and is subbed. So off we go DMP kick to touch must be a free kick as Billingham line out is signaled, not straight but DMP don’t contest. DMP feed in the scrum, it’s a big Billingham push, and man in the middle doesn’t raise an arm possibly because Billingham gain the ball. Billingham get pinged for playing the ball on the floor and DMP go for touch. Line out ball Burns contests with DMP, DMP look to protect the ball Joe Spoor rips and picks up driving into traffic. A couple of passes find Ewan Brown who accelerates through a gap and into space, 25 yard dash and it’s a tap tackle or he’s in. Billingham recycle and Scabs finishes. Cracking impact from the big fella, unconverted 31 - 35 the visitors move ahead again.
DMP kick long, it looks to be going dead but no chances so Billingham pop it into touch but good position for DMP. Billingham on the defence but it’s a slow build from DMP despite a loose line out they retain the ball and kick to touch via a penalty. Catch and drive of course which goes astray with a slip, adjudged to have been collapsed. Penalty doesn’t go to touch but Billingham are restricted into touch giving DMP another chance. This time it’s a catch and drive then swung out to the backs, quick ball and pace grab the try. DMP are nailing every conversation which continues for 38 – 35.
It’s DMP using the grunt at the set piece to set it up, it’s the into the corner then drive, no frills but very efficient. Billingham knock on to give DMP the chance and then multiple infringements see a yellow late. This allows the kick to the corner and DMP muscle the ball over the line to get the converted try to gain clear gap late on 45 – 35.
Billingham get half a chance when they collect the kick off but knock on and DMP grind out the last minutes then kick it into the empty stand to end the game. 45 -35 to the home side to leave the visitors with the one bonus point.
Great to see the visiting supporters mix with players at the end of the game lots Green and White everywhere, game was an absolute belter, across the squad massive graft but just didn’t come off. Taking to the players it was clear that they saw it as a chance missed, close but no cigar that may be harsh but it is a massively competitive league. Our Spirit is our Strength.
No time this week for keep an eye on Sean’s specials, are you a faithful?, can’t see a way in from the car park, lost match reports, new shower gel, that was a cheap round, who goes off round the world during the season?, gloves out, Victorian smog and we will rebuild him.
“You are never really playing an opponent. You are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits, that is real joy.”
– Arthur Ashe

An innocent bystander