Firstly I want to thank Bishop Auckland for making the trip to play us, and we wish a swift recovery to their injured player.
After last week where we tested ourselves against a very strong Rovers team the common consensus from the lads was they would much prefer to lose a game like that than win by 70+ points and after a quick look around we managed to pick up Bishop, another team who play in leagues above us and as such expected to be a real tough battle.
From the 1st whistle it was evident how the game was going to go, the tackles were crunching and the rucks eagerly contested from both sides. The majority of the early play being in the middle 3rd of the pitch with some good tactical play with the boot.
The 1st breakthrough came from some Bishop indiscipline, a late challenge with no arms from their 9 on Phil Reay inside the 22 earned a yellow, from the tap penalty, some good close work saw Craig Tennant cross the whitewash for the 1st score, Phil Greenbank putting over the extras.
The rest of the half remained tight, Bishop had 3 shots at goal from penalties, all of which failed and the half came to an end with no further being added.
A few changes at half time saw John Davies who has recently returned to playing and big Phil Crawford, home on leave taking his place on the wing.
Second half started much the same as the first had ended however it wasn't too longer before the better fitness of the 3TM began to show, first up was young Phil Greenbank, good work from the forwards took us deep into their 22, quick ball from a ruck Phil saw a gap, gave the dummy, stepped back inside and over for the score, following up with his own conversion. The thirds now started to step up a gear and Alex Blenkinsopp was next over in typical bulldozer fashion, again, Phil with the extra 2.
Into the last 20 and luke Bain was on hand with the 4th, a lovely chip and chase saw a favourable bounce which he collected to go under the posts and Phil again with 4 from 4.
The last Billingham score came from one of the 6 Phil's to pull on the green and white for the game. This time it was Crawford showing great pace and power to go over in the corner. The last kick a step too far and spoiling the perfect record with the boot.
Bishop never stopped playing though and were rewarded with a try of their own in the last minute, the conversion taken as a drop from the touch line was successful bringing the game to an end.
So some questions are answered, can we compete at this level? Yes. Is this the type of game we want? Yes. Are we going to play candy league next season? Watch this space.
Next up possibly the biggest test to date as Tec visit Greenwood road. Another scalp for the mighty 3TM? Its a 1pm ko so why not come down and find out 3,3,3TM #OSIOS