A dominant five-try home performance at saw Billingham climb to third in the Regional 1 North-East table.

A superb defensive display saw the Billingham not concede a try which made the victory that bit more sweeter.

In recent weeks, Billingham have perhaps been slightly slow out of the blocks, but that was not the case this weekend. Within the first five minutes a well worked move allowed Dan Dixon to slice through the Phoenix defence only to be stopped just short. Repeated infringements from Phoenix saw Billingham kick to the corner. Dan Burns rose up, quick ball from Foley saw Youll crash up the middle. Phoenix's defence stayed strong and turned the ball over when Billingham into the ruck off their feet.

After the fast start, Phoenix were looking to reset and slowly build into the game by keeping the ball tight and launching their attack through set-piece. On the quarter of an hour mark they looked to go wide on the back of their line-out. Player of the match John Padley was quickly over the ball with Phoenix being penalised for holding on. Billingham marched upfield. Strong carries from the Walton brothers saw Billingham make their way into the Phoenix half. Another penalty saw Billingham kick to the corner. Ben Walton won the ball. A maul ensued only for it to be stopped just short. Kieran Clark picked a nice line off the next ruck. Phoenix were now on the back foot. Quick thinking from Mike Walton caught Phoenix off guard when he picked from the base of the ruck to score under the posts. Jobe Roxby converted. 7-0

Taking the lead, the shackles were off and next came from a typical scrum half snipe. A penalty 40 metres out saw Conner Foley take a quick tap. A dummy pass fooled the Phoenix defenders and Foley ran in untouched. Jobe Roxby converted. 14-0

With the first half coming to a close, Phoenix had their best period of the game. Billingham being penalised, Phoenix kicked for the corner. For five minutes they attacked the Billingham line. Foulds, Dixon and Wilson showing great defence to hold up the would be Phoenix attack. Phoenix frustrations continued. Attack after attack they were being held out. However on 41 minutes the referee penalised Billingham for going in off their feet. Phoenix choosing to kick for the posts. 14-3.

Half time 14-3

The second half started in a very similar fashion to the first, with a really impressive score. A yellow card for Phoenix, allowed Billingham to take a further strong hold in the scrum. Adam Brown coming on for the tired Dixon gave Billingham renewed vigour. From the scrum, intricate handling put Jobe Roxby into space who showed some nice foot work to score in the corner. Conversion missed. 19-3

For the next 15 minutes of the second half the game was played across the half way. Neither team could find a gap through the defence. Ed Graham and Joe Evans came into the fray. Straight away both were in the thick of it when Phoenix made a break. Billingham again defended hard until that man again, John Padley won the turnover. Peter Evans kicked the penalty into Phoenix's half. A cleverly worked line-out saw the ball fired out to Peter Evans. With the Phoenix defence up quick, Evans stepped back inside and showed a clean pair of heels to out run the defence. Drawing the full back Peter Evans found brother Joe on hand to dot the ball down. Jobe Roxby converted. 26-3

With the bonus point in the bag, Billingham came on the attack again. Strong carries from Burns, Dixon and Youll saw Billingham get with in inches of the Phoenix line. Phoenix to their credit were holding strong. Quick thinking Foley used the big runners of Mike Walton and Dan Dixon as decoys as he found a pass to Sol Kench who cantered over to score the final try. Conversion missed

Speaking to DoR Peter Evans following the game ' It was a good win. It wasnt the greatest game. Phoenix had a game plan to disrupt our game. The forwards stood up well and gave the backs some good ball. We have a week off next week before we head to top of the league Driffield. Its all making for an exciting season'

Full-time score: Billingham 31 Doncaster Phoenix 3