Unfortunately it was the same old story in the week leading up to the game, with a strong squad (despite missing 5 or 6 regulars visiting HQ) suffering from late cry offs and no shows!

Even so, the lads were full of confidence and it was Duane Revill, starting his first game for a while, that got things going in front another large Friday night crowd but his kick off failed to get over the 10 metre line and subsequently the Hippos were on the back foot immediately.

Stockton started strongly and put the home team under pressure from the off. We managed to clear our lines briefly from a good lineout steal but with only 6 minutes on the clock, Taffy managed to go over for Stockton to give them a lead they would not relinquish all night. He added the extras himself : 0 - 7

The Hippos, not used to being behind these days, started to play a bit of their own game and Michael Foster made a good break only for the supporting player to drop his pass. This was a theme which continued to plague the Hippos throughout the night.

Paul Burgum, playing in his first game since becoming a father and with young Pavel making an eagerly awaited appearance on the side line to witness it, managed to get one of his trademark reverse passes in early from a scrappy lineout which got Jonny Durnion making a strong break which forced a penalty that was kicked deep into the Stockton 22.

Unfortunately more scrappy play and another dropped ball allowed the deadly Si Crozier to intercept and race away for his team's second try of the night. He was chased valiantly but there are not many around who can catch Crozier once he opens up. Taffy added the extras again but this time with a great conversion from wide out.

Again from the restart Stockton continued to put the Hippos under pressure but this time Craig 'Tombstone' Tennant, playing with a heavily bandaged leg due to a knee injury, made a great break and with Ste Hutch in support it looked like the first Hippos score of the night was coming. Unfortunately Hutchy dropped an easy one and the attack fizzled out.

Hippos managed to keep a bit of pressure on Stockton though and winning another penalty Duane finally found his kicking boots and put us into their 22.

A great lineout throw from Chris Surtees found Tombstone and a great bit of mauling almost got us over the line but Stockton defended well and eventually ran out of their own 22and made halfway before Daddy Burgum made a great turnover and got us back on the front foot. Working our way back into their 22 and forcing another penalty, Nigel Guz took a quick tap and dived over for the Hippos first score : 5 - 14

Unfortunately we conceded an easy score next to allow Stockton to increase their lead and man of the match, Taffy added an even better conversation than his last effort : 5 - 21

Half time 5 - 21

The second half started with more Stockton pressure but Tombstone managed to intercept a loose pass and race away, despite his dodgy knee, to run the length of the field to close the gap. Durnion added the extras : 12 - 21

Billingham managed to back up this score with more good work and kept Stockton under pressure, pinned in their 22.

Mark Coull, having moved from the second row to No.8 picked up at the base of a scrum and almost got himself on the score sheet but having been stopped short we were awarded a penalty after some punches were thrown!

Another quick tap saw Durnion burst through under the posts before he added the extras himself : 19 - 21

It looked like we were going to have an interesting game on our hands now as the Hippos had some momentum and the Stockton forwards appeared to be tiring.

Unfortunately,their backs were far from tired and they quickly took the game away from the Hippos. Smart interplay from replacement Ritchie Brown and Crozier allowed the latter to score again but this time the conversion was unsuccessful : 19 - 26

It wasn't long until experienced number 10 Jeremy Good was allowed to waltz through unopposed to extend their lead : 19 - 33

More good interplay, this time between Good and Crozier made more inroads but with Surtees and Nigel Burke appearing to have stopped Crozier the danger appeared snuffed out until a lovely offload allowed good over again : 19 - 38

It was obvious to see which players are still playing week in week out as fitness showed in the last quarter with Stockton back line dominating.

More good work saw a chip over the defense which looked covered by Hippos winger Ste Aylott until he tried to overhead kick it off the field only to miss the ball completely and allowing a walk over for the easiest score of the night : 19 - 43

Straight away more good play by the dominant backs brought a last try and the half century : 19 - 50

Hoping we were playing 'last try the winner' Durnion took a great crash ball for the Hippos and a nice pop inside for Mick Wilson to go over for the most popular score of the night : 26 - 50

So, all in all another great Friday night under the lights, even though well beaten the Hippos showed lots of character and eagerly await the date for the 3rd and final decider sometime in May!!