What a game, what a finish!

Billingham made the short trip to Clifton Park on Saturday afternoon to face York.

Its been sometime since Billingham had faced York away but a quick mention for the hosts. The work they have put into their grounds was impeccable. A lovely club set-up in a lovely ground. Despite the recent rain, the pitch was in a good state. Credit to York!

York were no mean feat. The best home defence record in the league and Saturday, Billingham found out why.

Billingham went to York wanting to kick on following a good win against Alnwick. Billingham were eager to start with a flourish and to kick on through the game.

It was Billingham who started the better of the sides. Debutant Nic Winstanley settled quickly in the 9 shirt showcasing his range of passing. From the kick off, Dan Burns collected and took the ball to the York defence. Winstanley made use of the his forwards with Padley and Myers made consecutive carries. The ball found itself in the hands of Peter Evans who cut through the midfield of York. A cute tap tackle brought Evans down just short of the 22 metre line. An infringement from York at the rugby saw the referee penalise York. With Billingham on the front foot they chose to go for the corner. The lineout was unfortunately stolen by York who managed scrambled the ball away.

Billingham maintained their attacked. Walton, Dixon and Youll all made good runs through the middle before York infringed again. This Evans pointed to the sticks. Jobe Roxby duly converted. 0-3

Before the social media team were able to log the score on the platforms, Billingham had secured the kick off, a fizzed pass found Ben Walton on what only can be described as a 'beautiful' line. Now every other second row would be looking for their support.... but when you have the power and speed of Walton, there was no stopping him. a 60 metre run down the middle of the pitch to score under the posts. Jobe Roxby converted. 0-10

With 26 minutes gone, Billingham seemed to have all the ascendancy. Again from the kick off they marched York back up the pitch. A quick turn over, a clever chip kick from the Yorks number 10 a rugby ball 'bounce' found its way into the hands of a York player who in turn found their flying winger who ran under the posts. 7-10

Confidence built for the home side and it wasnt long before some strong forward play allowed them to play the wide exposing Billingham short numbers to again score under the posts. 14-10

York took the slender lead into half time despite being on the backfoot for most of the first half.

The second half started with York having most of the possession. York were starting to move the ball around which allowed Billinghams back row to compete more at the rucks. It was John Padley who got the turnover winning a breakdown penalty. Peter Evans kicked downfield taking the play to the oppositions 22 metre. A clever lineout play, a pass to Joe Evans who found the hot stepping WIlson who took the on the defensive line. Myers, Foulds and Spoors all carried making good yards. It was a Luke Wilson pass that found that man Ben Walton who this time was on the wing. A foot race proceeded against his opposite number but there was only going to be one winner. Jobe Roxby missed the conversion. 14-15.

Billingham had hoped to build on this lead but once again not long after the kick off that York cleverly worked the next try. A fizzing pass from Yorks nine found the full back who fed Yorks flyer who stepped back inside of Billinghams defence to score. 21-15.

The next 15 minutes was all about who could maintain their composure. Both sides made changes which included Billingham giving another debut, this time to Durham County u20, Reece Kundu.

The ball was played mainly on the half way line. Youll put in a big defensive display, Myers made 5 tackle on the bounce to stop the growing York attack. Billingham made their way downfield. Strong carries from Jackson and Lewis Roxby saw Billingham make their way into the York 22. York infringed at the ruck. A big decision had to be made with only 10 minutes to go. Points or corner. Now one thing that we can say about Billingham is they are never afraid of making the difficult decision. Evans kicked for the corner, The lineout was stolen, the crowds heads were in their hands... however from a subsequent scrum Billingham won the penalty after the York player held on. Myers took the quick tap. A quick clear out, Lewis Roxby barrelled up the middle. Winstanley found Peter Evans who drew the opposition and with a neat off the shoulder pass allowed Martin Hopley to come on to the ball only to be stopped from scoring by a high shot by the York second row. Now it was a difficult decision for the referee. Obvious yellow, possible red but should it be a penalty given that it prevented a scoring opportunity. A yellow was given. The referee indicated 1 minute on the clock.

Evans called the scrum. The large travelling support had no nails left as the first scrum was called to be reset.

Billingham set up again. Jackson passed to Peter Evans from the base who seemingly managed to beat his opposite defender but for the defender to grab his laces. As Peter went to ground, somehow and god knows how, he offloaded out the back of his hand to find brother Joe Evans who spun a wide pass to Martin Hopley who despite his size, seemingly grew inches to reach over the try line to score. 21-20.

Jobe Roxby had the kick to win. A touch line conversion. Wind coming across the pitch. You could hear a pin drop. Roxby lined up his kick. Striking the ball, it was to the right of the upright but it was cleverly judged and curled through the middle of posts.... 21-22 WINNERS.

The players, support staff and crowd went wild.

It was another victory that was ground out. Another that helps maintain 4th position. Another confidence booster ahead of the game against Blackburn who sit in 3rd.

What a game, what a day, what a team....

#OSIOS