Billingham RUFC 1st XV 28/09/2019 Home v Lymm.

Hello sports fans, sorry for the late start to the random rambling match reports but family events and a prorogue have led to a temporary delay in attendance. However background research (bet that’s a surprise to most) didn’t stop, so there’s a lot to cram in plus some rugby so we will crack on.
As with all organizations the social media aspect is becoming more important to promote the rugby family and The Billingham club. To keep informed you can view a stream of interviews, news and views on the website usually authored by Mike Brown, not to be mistaken with his older Brother Geoff Brown, Look North sport anchor. I also notice that this week John Humphries called it a day, some said retirement but the word is he had heard the in-depth interview method in the BBC (Billingham Broadcasting cupboard) and thrown in the towel. The BBC is formally the shop where various social media interviews are now filmed as Billingham alumni are grilled on the weeks talking points. This has also led to many of the joggers taking more time to loiter in the foyer in case they get in the picture in their “hello Mum”. “John 3:16” and “Chloe jogs” t-shirts.
At various different levels we are all looking for the magic mixture or elixir that will provide that wow moment, my thinking is it’s more about practice and understanding. Everything hinges on the right components and combinations to unlock that potential, sometimes it’s not the items or people that you would think but the contrast or interlocking of the right pieces creates a different dimension. Eddie is trying to find that currently in Japan with a revised backs line up and the roving flankers marauding around the field, it is also nice to see that he is promoting evolution throughout the tournament. Having seen the players arriving in the close season I was looking forward to see the old/new mix of skills and styles, could we build on a cracking season last time? The jogging troupe is extending/building into gym session at the club and testing a cutting edge mixture to ease the joints. I can’t divulge the actual mix ingredients but now I know that you eat a little very day rather than smear it on your joints I may stop slipping off my bike and loose this rash.
Early morning I was woken by the rain against the window but that has now passed as I stride up a steadily drying Greenwood road. Alan is at the gate to exchange pleasantries but calamity no match guides so I hope that Dave is on hand to highlight players as it may be Billy sidestep and Jonny Reach-round noted as scorers within the report. Luckily it’s an unexpected Richie day as a late call up has meant our numbers on the hill swell to 3, early on. It’s windy up top on Harry’s hill which may be keeping a shower at bay. With the pitch bathed in Autumnal sunshine I recall the words of Shakespeare as he watched the Stratford 3rd team, “all the world’s a stage, and all men and women merely players”. Well the stage is set and the players ready, game on.
Billingham, green and white of course play from the club house towards the hill with Lymm, mostly black strips with gold trim/shoulders filed the kick off and return the ball from within the 22 up the line. Line outs look tricking in the wind however the flags are giving nothing away regarding direction. Billingham take cleanly and move the ball. A half break sees Ben Walton stride through space as Lymm cover, but are penalised at the ruck. With a free attack coming to nowt, it’s brought back in front of the post for Peter to slot through. 3 – 0.
Lymm kick off is high that allows their chasers to get up the field, Billingham contain and exit up the line following a similar pattern to the first exchanges. Lymm use a short line out and look to attack, which is curtailed by Billingham not rolling away at the ruck, a long advantage is played but eventually brought back, Lymm opt for touch rather than looking to level which is an indication of intent. Attacking line out is very confused but is taken as Lymm set up the runners, loose hands sees a knock on but Lymm are still within a dangerous area. Billingham look to exit but a bumpy kick sees Lymm set up to counter but they kick to long. Billingham then look to break out from their own try line. Both team are looking lively and share the exchanges until a Lymm break is stopped with a steal being adjudged as off feet. Lymm calm proceedings down with a kick for the sticks that levels the game at 3 -3.
Again the kick off is fielded and returned up the line and out, Billingham take off the top of the line out and set the rhythm at batter, batter then long pass. Strong runs build momentum as Billingham move over the gain line. As Billingham look to swing the ball wide a timed pass from Peter to Elliot sees a gap as he beats the first tackle then combines (see earlier notes) to send Luke in at pace. Peter strokes home the conversion for 10 – 3.
Lymm kick off is high and long pinning Billingham back resulting in kick exchanges. Lymm look fast, very fast but tend not to use the pass which allows the tackler to track and compress the space. Both teams are moving the ball around leading to a very entertaining match and given the windy conditions it can’t be easy. The Billingham team look to make ground every possession, Hopley catches the eye taking several of the opposition to stop him as his leg drive even after the tackle which makes him a constant threat. Billingham look to set up another attack and as the ball is switched a Lymm half interception is a deliberate knock on, a flash of yellow from the man in the middle. Billingham look to set from the scrum and switch the play form side to side but a long pass doesn’t open the door. It looks to have petered out but then Dom Mc breaks up the middle and as Lymm look to contain, Joe with poise and balance goes close. The ball is recycled and ends up in the safe hands of Burns who powers over the line. Peter with possibly the wind to his back adds the conversion for 17 – 3.
The next period of play is backwards and forwards but mainly down field in the Billingham half. Lymm look to build in attack and look to camp in the 22, Billingham look to hold out and any clearing kick give a breather but just for a moment. Lymm look to use the kick over the top to mix it up but this is well marshaled, however the backs are making in-roads and the defence has to cover across the park. As Lymm look to move towards the line again Billingham counter ruck a wee bit over enthusiastically and the yellow is flashed again as Elliot goes for a breather. The penalty is cleanly struck for 17 – 6.
Billingham look to pressure from the kick off ending the half in Lymm territory but no further scoring. Although we have calculated that when global warming kick in Harry’s hill will still be above sea/river level, we opt to wander to the club house end optimistically noting that the action will be there. I am also warmed by the half time treat of an under 10’s cake and the reception under the balcony from the usual suspects. We stand in the shade for some reason but the buzz is the usual tonic.
Misjudging the wind Lymm plonk the kick off straight out and jog back for the scrum. Kick are exchanged as is the ball as Lymm steal well, they look to have the half time chat on board. From a line out they work the ball along the line and speed round the corner carving the defence open, unfortunately a lose pass sees a try disappear, but it is encouraging or alarming dependant on what side of the fence you sit. It’s quite even in the middle of the park as Lymm kick over and Billingham counter a Joe/Peter switch sees Kirby up the line with Lymm covering. Hovering in support Ben Walton takes up the ball and in a burst of speed beats the cover to go over in the corner form quite a long way out. A tricky conversion goes wide to give a 22 -6 score.
Lymm kick high into the wind and collect their own kick, Billingham hold the attacks and force a knock on. Billingham scrum looks solid and provides the platform as the ball is moved again to the dugout side, this time Matthew Kirby pins back his ears as he tricks the cover in think he will step inside and goes outside with pace to ground in the similar corner. Again a tricky conversion just misses, the scoreboard balances with the match report at 27 – 6.
Lymm kick off and secure the ball, nudge through is well sorted but Lymm continue to probe. Billingham defence continues to work hard in the collision area, then support to then slow ball down or force holding on. It’s very bang-tidy up combinations with all positions involved and it’s needed as Lymm have not dropped the pace of attack. A ruck in midfield sees all sorts of off the ball action with tempers getting frayed and Danno ending up at the bottom of it. After his recent recovery its reassuring to see that it’s “only his arm” even thought it ends his match. Connor jogs on and a Lymm player is flashed a yellow, there is more yellow in this match than a Coldplay concert (they only play it once pop pickers). Scrum down and a big Billingham nudge see’s Conner scurry for the whitewash as his first carry results in a try. Unconverted for 32-6.
From the kick off Billingham forwards look to break out but knock on, it is noticeable that Lymm are getting the ball out of the scrum quick and looking to break. Again the defensive tackles snub out another pacey backs move. Billingham make a few changes in the forwards which keeps the scrum fresh and lively. They build another attack and Hopley looks to test the other line but is ushered out close. Lymm take the line out but are looking to break out from their own try line, Billingham pressure and hold them in to get a scrum knocking on the door. The first push is good but a clean pick can’t be taken so a re-set is taken. A nice nudge hints at a push over but James picks at 8 and runs over the try line defence to ground the ball. Peter converts onto the roof and the ball then hits a child on the way back, oh dear. 39-6.
The kick off looks to be caught and then dropped by Billingham, Lymm continue to run on both wings and charge down a clearing kick which gives another chance which is knocked on. Billingham have several opportunities through the forwards one disrupted by a Lymm forward who appeared all Black like from nowhere to snaffle and a ball popping out a ruck. It’s all getting a bit niggly around the break down and the man in the middle has a little chat. Billingham kick to the corner and look to set up. The forward combinations build pressure and this pays off as several mini drives set up Jordan to bury over. Converted for 46 – 6 in front of the club house.
Time for more action as Lymm set off still looking for that try, Billingham move back up the field and as Lymm line up a tackle they are judged to be offside. Billingham opt to kick for the corner happy to play at the club house end as the time ticks away. The forwards take on from the line out but the ball pops out and is touched down for scrum 10. With the Billingham forwards eager its re-set and then after a couple of near drives its switched as Billingham go over but the Lymm defence holds up well to deny Billingham at the death. The whistle sounds. So sun on your back, cake at half time and lots of rugby action what more could you want.
No time this week for don’t call me Mr. Foamy, always in IKEA, trusty Billingham windows pen, World cup fever, late line-up changes, I wish I knew all the names, is there cake every week?, how many empty glasses can you hold in one hand, get a f***ing fixture sheet, you can’t just throw random words in and the sound of ripping shorts.
“A great band is more than just some people working together. It’s like a highly specialized army unit, or a winning sports team. A unique combination of elements that becomes stronger together than apart” Steven Van Zandt
An innocent bystander.