Bishop Auckland v 3TM 26/11/2011

3TM travelled to Bishop Auckland to not only face their 3rd team and a strong and blustery wind but also knowing the hosts 1st team game had been called off late in the day and there was the possibility of them being used to Strengthen the squad.
Billingham were to receive the ball from the kick off and with a strong wind at their backs in the first half were determined to use it and start putting points on the board. after the first couple of minutes and good ball possesion through numerous phases a ruck was formed on halfway, the ball was picked up from the base and a typical strong run from Nick Gray saw him brushing off several challenges before finishing off under the posts for the 1st score with Ben Elgie adding the extras.
There was no let up from here on as the next score was only minutes later, the ball was wide on the left with Neil Dixon, just as the tackle was about to be made he popped the ball inside to Marc Massey who still had plenty to do from the 10 metre line in, only 1 Bishop player fancied the contact but the newly slimlined Massey was not going to be stopped, the defender attempted to stand up in the challenge but the power going forward ended with the tackler flat on his back and Massey touching down out wide, a superb kick from the boot of Elgie again added the conversion.
Again there was no let up as the billingham forwards took the ball into contact from the Bishop 10 metre line, pure strength and power saw the defense being drove back leaving it to Nigel Guz to finish the move and touch down again converted by Elgie.
The Billingham forwards were totally dominating the game in the tight and the next score came from a Bishop scrum on their own 5 metre, it was won against the head and left Nigel Guz to pick up from the base and go over, another converted score.
Straight from the restart the ball was in the hands of Elgie playing full back, after charging forward he then chipped over the defense, carrying on his run and collecting the ball after a favourable bounce and touching down under the posts converting his own score.
It was about 10 minutes till the next score but it was another forward getting in on the act as James Watson scored his first and the 1st miss from the boot of Elgie.
2 minutes later Bill were held up over the line but from the resulting 5 metre scrum Again Watson went over right in the corner. Elgie with his best kick of the game adding the 2 from the right hand touchline.
Half Time Bishop Auckland 0 - 47 Billingham 3TM
As was expected in the 2nd half the home team brought on a number of players from the previous called off game to strengthen the team and the 3TM also had the wind to contend with.
It was proven to be a much sterner test due to this although it was the visitors who were 1st to add to the score with watson charging through he appeared reluctant to score and was looking for an off load although he eventually touched down to score his hat-trick and earn him the right to get the jug in after the game.The conversion pulled narrowly wide against the strong wind.
Bishop now started to come into the game with renewed aggression which overstepped the mark with one of their players jumping through the challenge and taking out Phil Surtees with a knee to the temple. A couple of minutes while medical attention was received and the anger from the way the Bishop player had gone through appeared to make the 3TM lose focus and after a few minutes of sustained pressure saw the home teams scrum half dive over the top of the ruck to score which was converted.
There was to be no more scores until the last 10 minutes but it was Bill who were to have the last say. after numerous phases down the right the ball was offloaded in contact by Guz to Richard Morrison who gained 20 metres along the right touchline. Just as the challenge was to be made a pop inside to the supporting Peter Childs saw him with the simple task of finishing off, conversion again missed against the wind.
Full Time Bishop Auckland 7 - 57 Billingham 3TM
Another impressive team performance by Billingham in which every player who pulled on a shirt played their part and earned the right to wear the badge.
Massive well done also goes to the lions who won 7 - 19 away to Blaydon a good saturday from Billingham senior rugby
M.O.M. Nigel Guz for another powerhouse performance