As I sit here and type this report im reflecting back on the game but I keep thinking of how proud I am of this young, somewhat inexperienced, amateur side. Guys who train around their working, college and university. Guys who pay their membership to play. There is a reason they wear the green and white... because they want too!!

Billingham clearly up their game with better opposition and yesterday was an example of this. I was down at Northwich where we run out 50+ point winnesr but we were poor. We lacked composure, concentration.... but against Otley we were something else.

Did Otley think they were going to have their own way? Personally I don't think so... confidant? Yes!, slight arrogance? yes and rightly so. They were league leaders and full of confidence. Hearing former DMP player Callum Irvine going through his players it was clear they were up for the game.

Billingham kicked off and from the first contact it was clear that Billingham were going to be up for the game. Nathan Myers, a menace all game, Anth Jackson running and taking on opposition with Burns running the line outs. It looked promising.

Billingham found themselves with an early penalty 40 metres out. Peter Evans casually nudging it over over with 15 metres to spare. Billingham were being sensible with their decision making. Yes it would be nice to score lots of tries but there is times when points are needed knowing it was going to be a close game.

However Otley dominated possession and on 12 minutes a Billingham infringement at the ruck meant Otley had a shot in front of the posts. Joe Rowntree kicking them level.

The next 10 minutes saw both sides battle each other up front. Billingham tight 5 testing themselves against an impressive Otley pack and not taking a step back. It was with a burst from Whinn in the midfield supported by Foulds however referee Dave Charlton called Otley for not rolling away. Again Peter pointed towards the posts. 6-3. Both sides continuing to size each other up.

Otley continued to dominate the possession and the impressive Otley MOTM (Otleys 12) being used like a wrecking ball. He needed 2/3 players to take him down each time which allowed giant second row Dan Preston-Routledge to crash over. Joe Rowntree with the extras. 6-10

Billingham always play with belief and it was an opportunistic try for the green and white with the returning full back Elliott Husband who spun a lovely 15 metre pass to find Alfie Lawson who scored in the corner. Extras missed... We were very much in this game. The crowd cheered with excitement!!

Half time 11-10

As Billingham stayed outside in the wet, Otley went in side to warm up. Billingham stayed prepared in the conditions. Again upon the kick off Billingham were ferocious in their defence led by Nathan Myers. A turned over ball, Foley spun wide, a miss pass from Evans who found Kirby in full flight to score one of the tries of the season so far... majestic. Extras missed. 16-10

As Billingham made their way back to the half way it was clear there was tiring bodies. Billingham are one of the fittest sides however the work they had done to this point clearly had taken its toll.

Otley returned with menace. They started to dominate scrums, winning penalties and instead of taking easy points they smelt blood. They chose lineout options and it was quick ball from a line out that saw the ball spun wide to back rower Ben Waddington who carried over 2 defenders to score in the corner. Extra missed. 16-15

From the restart as Evans kicked high a mistimed jump saw Ben Walton receive a yellow card. Otley were quick to capitalize. Billingham held out for 8 minutes having held out Otley scrum with only 7 men. Quick ball from a reset scrum saw Irvine find top scorer Marcus Law who slid into the corner.

Billingham emptied their bench. Mike Walton straight away provided that impotence that was missing from the 2nd half. A big collision from the kick off, a turned over ball saw Billingham go on the attack again. Spoors made made good yardage along with fellow front rower Dixon. Stern Otley defence meant Billingham couldn't find a way through no matter how many times Billingham knocked at the door.

On 66 minutes against the play Otley won a penalty for a Billingham player holding on the floor. Joe Rowntree stepping up to take the extras. 16-23.

It set up a frantic last 10 minutes. Billingham dominated the play. They were looking for the try. Even when the penalty was called, they went to the corner. 10+ phases on the Otley line saw powerful prop Dixon carry the ball over the line. The Billingham crowd went wild, the players celebrated however referee saw different. Held up called. The new rule meant a kick out for Otley. The groans could be heard all around. Clear disappointment.

Otley played sensibly. They won a lineout and kicked the ball clear. Otley were 16-23 winners.

Worthy winners? Possibly... However they were pushed. It was a nail biter. It was a proud day to be a Billingham supporter irrespective of the result.

Otley were very complimentary which is very pleasing to hear. As Peter stated in his after game speech. It was clear why Otley were top of the league. They were relentless. If I was a betting man, my money would be on Otley to win the league however I cant wait for the return fixture if this game was anything to go by...

We continue to build!

#OSIOS