North Premier (previously National 3) is a league that is very much underrated. It is made up of some quality sides from across the country. Sides that are steeped in history and big financial backing.

Billingham as you know are a little town and are a full amateur side. So to keep in a National league and to be challenging said 'bigger' sides, makes us proud to be part of this club. We have a fantastic committee and under the leadership of Mark Armstrong as Chairman we have continued to grow as a club.'.

Macclesfield like Billingham have had a mixed start to the season facing the top sides Otley and Preston Grasshopper. Macc arrived very early to the ground and were out warming up. On appearance they were huge. There is no other way to put it. The second rows were like giants, No.8 looked like a pro athlete. You would be forgiven for thinking 'OMG!'

Macclesfield kicked off the game through the left footed Harry Oliver. The kick found its way through to Conner Foley who mis-handled to give Macclesfield the perfect start. A groan from the crowd sounded as the scrum was called. Despite the clear size difference, Billingham held their own. Macclesfield applied pressure. Billingham withheld for 12/13 phases of Macc dominance before Nathan Myers turned over the ball.

Now Billingham on the front foot it was against the tide that saw Billingham score the first try when Alfie Lawson pounced on a kick through to score the first of his double. Roxby missed the conversion. 5 -0

A clean catch from the kick off saw Billingham take the momentum. They marched up the field. Dixon, Walton brothers and Jackson all contributing with lung busting carries. Billingham saw played a gap through Wilson which led to the galloping Ben Walton to crash over the whitewash. Jobe Roxby kicked the extras 12-0

It was clear and evident Macc werent happy. From the kick off they dominated every facet of the game. The big ball carriers were beginning to make in roads which led to Macc having an overlap. Quick ball found Matt Thorp to score Maccs opening try. Con missed. 12-5

Again Macc drove Billingham back downfield from the kick off. Macc were beginning to get the favour of the referee. The whistle pinged 4 times in quick succession and for the second week in a row saw Nathan Myers sent to the bin. With numbers in the forwards depleted, Macc chose consecutive scrums to score. 4 scrums later they eventually found the ball to lively winger Myles Hall to score in the corner. One would question if they were better taking the points on each of the penalties? hindsight is a wonderful thing! Harry Oliver kicked the extras. 12-12. Macc were back in the mix... and looked hungry.

Myers returned to the field and Billingham withheld a tirade of attacks. Clark like a lumberjack was felling trees, Foulds being his mad dog nuisance self. Dan Burns was getting in the mix with fellow bash brother Michael Walton. However it was a call from the ref of not rolling away led to Harry Oliver stepping up for a kick 35 metres in front of the posts... 12-15. From a positive start things looked bleak.

Whilst Macc went inside straight from the half time whistle. Billingham stayed outside whilst the coaching team gave instructions. Although down Billingham were certainly not out!

The second half restarted....Billingham turned over the ball, Dixon made in roads supported well by Wilson and Jackson. Foley fired the ball back down the narrow side which found Ben Walton in space. A 2 on 1 saw Walton send the defence the wrong way as he threw a dummy and sprinted 20 metres to score. Conv.missed. 17-15. Game on!

Macc looked different. The score by Walton seemed to have deflated Macc. They weren't making the in roads they had in the first half. Mistakes crept into their play. It was a mix up and a fumble in Maccs midfield that allowed Alfie Lawson to showcase his gas as he steamed under the posts from 55 metres out. Roxby kicked the conv. 24-15

Billingham were on top. The forward pack were outstanding... Wilson and Kirby were solid in midfield. Evans started picking off defenders. It was the combination of Wilson and Kirby that found a gap in the defence. Held on the 22 metre line, Foley whose service was exemplary all game found Mike Walton who for a forward impressed with a 15 metre pass off the left hand to find Hopley who scored in the corner to take the score to 29-15. Conv. missed.

As Macc started to creap back into the game. They brought on fresh fire power and it started to work. They started to make dents in the defence of Billingham however retaliation from Alex Davies from Macc saw the referee blow the whistle for a penalty. Jobe Roxby stepped up and notched his own long range kick from 40 metres out. 32-15

The referee signalled 2 minutes left. A buzz from the Billingham crowd got louder and louder. However Macc had the last word through Josh Redfern. A giant of a No.08, he barrelled through 4 Billingham defenders to get Macc back on the scorecard. 32-20.... There was still time to play according to the ref. With long stoppages for injuries including a cut head to Luke Wilson meant the game went into its 90th minute. Billingham kicked off. Macc set up on their 22 metre line, a box kick later a resulting line saw Billingham eventually the ball out of play. The sound of the whistle saw the crowd erupt. Cheers echoed around Billingham.

Macclesfield were gritty and determined but succumb to the stubbornness of this Billingham outfit. A never say die attitude.

What made the day eve more special we were able to win in front of our special guest, Gold Medalist Jack Smith.

Thank you to our biggest crowd to date who made the day extra special.

Next up - Sandal away.

We continue to build

#OSIOS