Billingham 3TM
Matches
Sat 07 Dec 2019
Billingham Rugby Club
Billingham 3TM
Tries: A Blenkinsopp, B Elgie, N Winstanley, C RobinsonConversions: C RobinsonPenalties: C Robinson (2)Yellow Carded: S Thompson
28
15
Stockton Saracens
Billingham turn on the style against Stockton

Billingham turn on the style against Stockton

Richard Morrison8 Dec 2019 - 12:26
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This is the one we wanted, and we didn't disappoint

Saturday saw possibly the two strongest teams in the league face off at Greenwood road, after the 1st match of the season and being on the wrong end of an 84-0 hammering it seems a little surreal to say the 2 strongest teams however since that game we have kicked on and gone unbeaten so to today was to be the test to see just how far we have come.
Only a minute into the game and trouble at the breakdown where an apparent kick out from Scott Thompson saw him see yellow, the retaliation from the Stockton 9 saw him land a punch to the head, I can only assume it wasn't seen by the referee as he also only saw a yellow. The early tempo was set and it was clear to see it was going to be a battle with big hits flying in and neither team taking a backward step. The 1st points were to come after just 6 minutes, Stockton were adjudged offside at the breakdown 30 metres out and infront . Up stepped Carl Robinson to put it over for the 3 points, intelligent play knowing how the game was expected to go.
Stockton were looking dangerous with ball in hand but the Billingham defence was up to it in the early stages working hard to get back and make the tackles.
Billingham were next to score, from a breakdown at the 22 the ball found its way to big number 8 Alexander Blenkinsopp who broke a number of tackles and with an outstretched arm managed to cross the whitewash left of the posts, with the conversion coming back off the upright it was 8-0 15 minutes in.
Any over confidence was soon wiped with a move straight from the training ground, Stockton moved the ball quickly from left to right where a smart grubber was perfectly placed for the dangerous Stockton 15 to chase and dot down catching our cover flat footed, the conversion dropped short, 8-5.
The next 20 passed without further score but the tempo never slowed this was a great game to watch between 2 very evenly matched sides.
It was with 5 minutes left of the half when Billingham stretched their lead, a great break by Shaun Daniels took us into the 22, from there a series of recycled balls and it came to Ben Elgie who showed great strength but looked to be stopped just short. Quickly joined to form a maul we managed to keep going and as the maul collapsed referee Trevor Alley adjudged that Ben had grounded under the posts, this time the conversion was true and it was 15-5 which is how it stayed till half time.
Changes were made keeping legs fresh and allowing Daniel Sanderson to empty the content of his Stomach and we were underway again.
It wasn't long before the scoreboard was moving again and crucially it was Billingham to score.
Nic Winstanley saw the gap off the back of the scrum, just as he has so many times this season and raced away, caught just short of the line but another outstretched arm saw him go over, the conversion coming back off the post for a 2nd time, 20 - 5. With 35 minutes still on the clock had we scored too early and would we burn out, always a danger with a team that doesn't train.
The answer came soon enough, another 4 minutes passed on the clock and again Nic Winstanley made a break from deep in his own half and was caught just at the 5 metre, the support was quickly there and ball secured, out of the back of the ruck to the onrushing Carl Robinson to go over for 25 - 5 still 30 minutes to go, could we keep it up?
5 minutes later and the nerves started to go as Stockton scored their 2nd, again through full back Costello who had been a constant treat, again conversion missed 25-10 25 left. This could have been the point Billingham crumbled as Stockton started moving the ball well but the defence stood strong. At least it did until the 76th minute where a strong run from 8 Devon Douthwaite go over amongst screams for a penalty try due to what was thought 2 be a high tackle from 2 foot Nic Winstanley on the 6 foot plus forward? Well the ref disagreed conversion missed 25 - 15.
3 minutes left on the clock and Stockton still felt they were in with a shout, right until the last minute where the game ended as it began, a Billingham penalty infront of the posts and another 3 points for Carl Robinson 28 - 15.
Stockton took the kick off where it was fielded and kicked straight out where the final whistle brought the cheers and the win.
Not a game for the faint hearted but definitely the performance of the season, just think what we could do if we trained???
3,3,3TM

Match details

Match date

Sat 07 Dec 2019

Kickoff

14:15

Meet time

12:45

Instructions

Shirt and tie, Trousers/chinos and shoes - all 3 teams are at home - busy day at the club so please make the effort to stay back.
Squad to be announced after training on Thursday
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Club Sponsor - Sandmartin Financial Advisers