Billingham RUFC 1st XV 29/01/2022 Home vs. Preston Grasshoppers RFC

Glory days – Bruce (The boss) Springsteen – 1984

Despite life’s setbacks, of which there are regular and many, it’s always good to focus on the core values, skills and ethos which help you navigate choppy waters. It was all going so well is a phrase that gets used so often (especially in January) when bumps in the road appear but let’s take a step back and look at the full picture. Example - It was a cold dribble of a shower on Thursday and unfortunately no after exercise chips but cold water is all the rage, it was due to club improvements plus the company was as always soul warming.

Our little North Eastern outpost has so much going for it on and off the pitch which has been built gradually on the shoulders of giants who hopefully (as he writes on Wednesday) will muster on Saturday for ex-players day. Looking at the photo’s during the week although the color has faded the memories and impact driving the club forward has not. Little steps to put in place by lasting friendships, which is very poignant as many celebrated the life of Sean Willis and said farewell this week. It is the foundations and standards put in place over the years by many that results in the lively atmosphere, engaging chat and ultimately on the pitch with another cracking season at all levels. I expect there will be quite a few refreshments partaken over remembering games, tours and times when moustaches weren’t just for November. Doft my hat to you all.

You didn’t have to be Michael Fish to gauge the weather on Saturday which due to storm Micah was fresh with strong gusts. Arriving later than expected at the club the usual swirl of anticipation was in the air as the squads warmed up. I didn’t venture up to the bar which by all accounts was (in technical terms) rammed. As I wandered around to the usual vantage point of Brown’s mount I stooped to engage in chat with various supporters as they tried to locate a sheltered spots. Gauging the wind direction via the nearly horizontal touch flags it was blowing across the pitch from the Greenwood road side. Preston were setting up a camera to record the match, which may be more accurate than this report but it looked very precarious as the pole wobbled about in line with the posts and anything above 2 feet.
Preston jogged out, white tops with a thin hoop and black shorts, followed by Billingham in green and white. The match official jogs out with a light blue/teal upper with black shorts, the pale shade of his top makes him already look cold. The players line up on the halfway for a silence for Sean, well observed as the wind races across the pitch. A quick recap looking at the team sheet (thanks Alan) Preston sit in second in pursuit of Otley with Billingham 4th within a point of Blackburn, 5th place Alnwick sit 15 points back, so its top four action if that’s your thing.

Billingham look to play up the pitch towards the mount and receive the kick off as Preston look to gauge the wind. The balcony and concourse fill up as a few of the mount regulars pitch up at base camp to do a three monkeys routine on the bench behind the scoreboard. Preston kick off long and the ball bounces over the dead ball line to come all the way back. The first scrum is tidy with Billingham looking to gain field position but the kick goes straight out so we wander back for the line out as play bubbles around halfway. Although line out throwing may be tricky in the bluster Preston take cleanly and start to establish a rhythm with the scrum half using close runners in an attempt to punch through. Billingham defence is worked hard and this continues throughout the match, energy sapping. It’s Preston on the front foot for large periods sending the runners in but knocking on or being too eager allowing Billingham regular respites. Billingham look to play the ball out, given that kicking up the field is like kicking against a garage door, it always comes back. Its clean line out ball for both teams at present and a burst into space from Anth Jackson warms the home crowed but Preston cover quickly. Preston piece together a sweeping move and opt for a nudge through but again it’s taken by the wind over the dead ball line. Preston are starting to get the upper hand in the scrums which given the amount of knock on’s is a very handy advantage. Billingham look to move up the pitch with a variety of back play and well measured kicks from Peter. It’s all very tight, Billingham have to commit numbers to the tackle and breakdown to slow up the Preston runners, Preston patiently stick to the blue print occasionally airing the ball wide. The man in the middle likes to play advantage, not a bad thing but then brings play back if none is given. After most of the first half Preston get their foot firmly into the Billingham half as a Billingham line out catches the wind. They keep the ball in a solid scrum then its forwards ball into the far corner, straight runners have a couple of goes then it’s a switch as they go in at the club house end, unconverted the manual scoreboard only constructed that morning shows 0 – 5 to the visitors.

Billingham kick off and the Preston 8 cleanly takes the ball and sets off with support, it’s a quick breakdown as Preston pop a long kick into the bottom corner. It’s a 50:22 kick where the player has kicked from his own half and it bounces then out in the opposition 22 so it’s a Preston line out in a very favorable field position, a quick momentum boost after the 30 minutes that went before. The first attempt is forwards round the corner which ends in Billingham pinged for not rolling away. It’s a kick to touch back into the corner as Preston are happy to stick in, Line out good then along the line to score in the opposite corner a bit delayed as the try scorer hit the corner flag and was pushed out but the ball was grounded. The conversion is out wide but dealing with the wind the Preston kicker bags the points. 0 – 12.
Billingham kick off and the number 8 collects again with Preston moving ball up the pitch despite Billingham having a couple of shouts in the breakdown, the man in the middle uninterested in the breakdown issues.
Billingham look to move the ball and Tom Briggs goes clear but the cover tackle puts him over the side line. It’s a rare sortie into the Preston half and when Preston knock-on at the line out Billingham look to cash in. Preston nudge at the scrum but it’s away for Billingham with a strong run from Ryan Kirkbride sucks in the defenders, then it’s back the other way as Peter nudges through. Preston gather under pressure then gather with the forwards driving and defending the ball, Billingham get pulled for offside and Preston clear. It’s a loose lineout but Preston have had enough a punt the ball out as half time whistle goes. Preston jog to the changing rooms as Billingham decide to do the same and discussion opinions with the ref as they go.

I opt to go for a walk around the pitch which only highlights the wind conditions which change at each corner, I encounter the preferred option with many of the alumni sheltering at the garage end of the club house, the BRUFC equivalent of behind the bike sheds. On my way back up to the mount I meet my fellow regulars with wheelie bin and post protector making their way down to the club house, so I turn around not wanting to be Billy no mates. In similar fashion to the Greek myths of old, I am lashed to a club house drainpipe for fear I will succumb to the wind or wander off to seek refreshment. The concourse is a busy place and not for the faint hearted with leaves, hats, beer, various comments and children all being thrown around by the wind.

So second half under the balcony (in the teeth of the gale and the faithful) Billingham kick off wind at their right side, the Preston 8 collects and we are off. Preston opt to keep the ball and grind it up the pitch only to not release. Billingham kick into the corner and the club house end voices rise, ex-players in full volume. The line out is a bit of a bobble and Preston retrieve but are pinned in the corner as they look to break out, eventually they put boot to ball but it’s not too far.
Billingham take it short, set up but it’s knocked on. Preston can’t clear and it’s the Billingham forwards who look to take it in but Preston by hook or crook is only giving minimal gains. Another penalty and the ref takes time to chat to a few as this close to the line there’s all sorts going on at the breakdown, the crowd highlighting some offside and other observations. Billingham scrum and its out quickly as Preston look to push and Billingham are over the line but held up for a drop out. Preston look to angle the kick but it’s straight out so it’s back for the scrum. Billingham look for different combinations as they look for a score and to switch that uncle Mo in their favor. It’s Preston who turn the ball over and then break up the far side, as they look to shore up the advantage its back the other way as Billingham steal and Peter sights the bottom corner gain as the ball bounces over the full back and into touch. Again the volume turns up as Billingham try several attempts to force it over but Preston cover, regain the ball moving it up the side line until a penalty advantage is theirs. From the line out the ball is gathered and they suck the life out of the game with a rolling maul which slowly creeps up the pitch, uses up time and subdues any pressure, if they felt any. It maintains steady progress and the ref’s arm is up as Billingham go in on the side, Preston move the ball but it breaks down so comes back. At the next line out you think more of the same, but no it’s a catch at the front to secure then phases in field as Preston move to within touching distance. It’s a turnover for Billingham but a loose pass which means a scrum which Preston are now pushing all over the place and in the light blue mind in the ascendancy. It’s another penalty and from the line out Preston set up the rolling maul goes close allowing a couple of phases along the line and Preston are in. Its unconverted Preston are more than happy judging by the reaction in stand and on bench. 0 -17.

Some must have had enough as beer showers from the balcony on those who stand below, don’t worry too much I’ve dried out the pages.
Billingham kick off short to retrieve and it bobbles around as Preston retrieve, the counter ruck is slowing the release and the ref intervenes to allow Preston to clear. Line out is taken then popped back to the hooker who goes up the line, a couple of phases not much gain and Billingham get the ball. It’s along the line with a little gap glimpse but that’s all it is as the ball is lost in the tackle. It’s another strong scrum by Preston and they get advantage but don’t need it as the work the ball up the pitch and in at the far corner. Not converted from a wide angle but that’s the bonus point for the visitors. 0 – 22

Billingham put in a bobbler which Preston leave for a bounce then they gather and breakout up the stand side. Billingham turnover and air the ball along the line gathered by Martin Hopley at pace who is taken with a very clear high tackle (unlike the frequently seen borderline over the shoulder tackle) which gives the ref no option as yellow is shown. Preston continue to dominate at the scrum and get the penalty, from the line out play switches to the stand side as Billingham gain the ball then kick and chase forcing Preston to ground for a drop out. Billingham look for a late burst but Preston control the game with no further clean breaks until the final whistle.

As the crowd disperses, I expect to get a good place at the bar, Preston celebrate loudly which indicates how they rated this win plus the bonus point. Billingham look very disappointed which they will be; it was a very long day at the office. A bit like the wind Preston never let up, it was constant and unremitting. In defence they were strong, abrasive and irritating, in attack it was solid, well organized and sapping. There wasn’t a 30 yard dash but the support around the ball and the game management was very clear. It is a case of getting the foundations in place and doing the little things right, over and over again after all, big doors swing on little hinges.

No time this week for not the type of stool you sit on, I’m glad Browne’s writing this one, this sledge is not for moving, Clem Fandango can you hear me?, Stop sending me holiday snaps, Tax return deadline, delayed match report due to Met interest?, never a bad blow job, 2 scoreboards and it’s raining San Miguel.
“You can do almost anything with a basic good stock. It’s like a strong foundation, when you have the right foundation everything tastes good.” – Nigella Lawson
An innocent bystander.

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