Billingham RUFC 1st team squad​​07/10/2023​ ​Hull Ionians RUFC
Communication – Spandau Ballet – 1983
Having kept track of recent games via phone updates and following the main conversation points of the week I would like offer some observations on communication with no hint of bias or irony. We are all armchair pundits now, given the amount of camera angles, replays and slow mo that enables a pretty `good decision to be made in those pivotal moments. However we have to take into account the “real time” on the officials’ behalf but then you have to be sure with clear and concise communication. I do like the method where the on-field official confirms the on-field decision and asks can you supply any evidence to show the contrary. The off-field officiating squad can then respond in the same manner, the offside is not correct and the goal can be awarded. Instead you have the on-field official not asking any question because the “system” kicks into gear, the off-field committee then confirm “fine” meaning that the player is on-side rather than the on-field decision is incorrect, off we go. To be honest is not really rocket surgery, it indicates of too many people involved and a lack of simple structure. We then have the old switcheroo where a massive failure is communicated as an informed change of heart which will benefit you in the long run. The promise of jam is gone, the butter and toast may appear at some point but we really are not sure as others need to maintain their regular croissants. Hopefully that’s fully disguised as a half baked metaphor with no reference to the historical misquoted let them eat cake events, you know how that all turned out.
I can confirm that the gym group was in full attendance this week, struggled to get a dumbbell due to the numbers. A tonic for body and mind to spend time with the group and of course the chat is priceless plus there is the chance to feel a little bit feta. Just to confirm to some onlookers that is me jogging in real time around the perimeter, it’s not a slow-motion replay to see if I put a foot into touch.
Let’s see if we can engage in clear and concise as this report develops but early signs as I read the notes are not promising. It’s a breezy or a very good drying day at Greenwood road as I arrive early in some eyes however warm up is over as I am caught by Ritchie at the gates. We wander up to a sparsely populated mount as the ground gradually fills as the bar area empties. Hull Ionians in red, white, black and green quarters jog out, mid league at the moment but another club with league pedigree to face the new boys. Billingham are onto the AGP in white and green as resident DJ Dwaine Revell-Hardwood spins the platters that matter. Officials decide to make an appearance respondent in light pastel blue which sings against the shades of grey in the sky on what was promised to be a summery weekend.
Hull kick off towards the club house, looking at the pitch side flags a stiff cross field breeze from the stand side may make kicking and throw-ins interesting. Kick-off is collected by an on rushing Dan Burns as Billingham set off up the pitch, the early exchanges see-saw as both teams gauge the breeze with nudges through but infringements at the breakdown and a packed middle of the park curtails any clear chances. The first kick goes straight into touch and the line out sees a drop so let’s see how the first scrum goes its steady and Mike Walton runs strongly to make ground, support runners advance the ball but well into the Hull half it’s knocked on. Another steady scrum and Hull exit with little fuss back to halfway, from the line out Billingham look to deploy the runners with both Walton’s and Jackson looking lively, it’s a penalty for a high shot as players look very slow to get up so the water and medical support teams are on. After the breather Billingham opt for the posts, looking from the mount it’s quite a way, shall we say optimistic but it has the legs but the breeze takes it wide. Hull drop out long giving Billingham a chance to set up and get the runners lined up, Anth Jackson mini break and its Billingham on the front foot with a quick tap penalty before the defence resets. Its advantage again as a kick pass finds touch but we are back for the penalty, given the position it’s a kick to touch to set up the line out. Hull take at the front and exit with a belter up field, Joe Ross looks to stretch the legs but is shepherded well, after a couple of phases Billingham look for positional gain with a nudge into touch. Hull collect and set up the drive which evolves into a maul and is sealed off giving the home team a good foothold in the Hull half. We have a couple goes at the scrum before its solid and Billingham look to apply the combinations, its quick ball between the backs with Conner having a little go himself and strong runs across the pitch. Its offload then recycle as Jacko and Adam Brown go close then a spinning Mike Walton is adjudged to have broken the line. The conversion goes inside the near post, opposite to the earlier penalty as the home team get the scoreboard moving at 5 – 0.
Hull kick off high and jump to contest the retrieval, Burn’s gathers, returns to earth and looks around as the game stops due to the aerial collision. Its scrum restart and Billingham look to poke the ball through and chase as it bobbles into touch. Hull take the line out and look to drive, Billingham attempt to seal off but the ball is presented and kick over the top, Billingham look to defend but kill the ball midfield. Hull opt to go for the post and bother the balcony crowd, it’s a little bit of a banana that drags wide which give Billingham a tricky drop out into the wind. Hull punt the ball straight back and Joe Ross sweeps up with support runners who create a gap for the onrushing Burns who powers up the pitch. The forwards clear up the breakdown and a Peter Evans shuffle allows more gain up the stand side. It’s switched quickly as the Billingham overlap with numbers appears left, with numbers over and the line in sight a one hand Hull interception (I’m being kind) is attempted and the man in the middle has no option but brandish the yellow. The mount faithful enquire regarding a penalty try but Billingham get a scrum. A good set up and controlled phases with hard yards from Foulds, Whinn and Brown knock on the door to set up Kieran Clarke for the low drive to the whitewash, just a pace from the posts it sets up Jobe to pop one through for 12 – 0.
Its Hull towards the club house deep and despite a clean catch Billingham get pinged for not releasing at the breakdown and then plus yards for discussing. Scrum is steady and Hull move the ball through the phases, exploring the left side before knocking on. Billingham look to clear following the scrum but are charged down, lucky to retrieve then look for a bobbley kick pass to stretch the Hull defence, looks to move in the breeze as clean catches are at a premium. The deceptive runner Ben Walton makes a break as Hull cover across as Billingham look to go wide. It’s starting to click for Hull as the forwards look to break up the middle similar to many teams in this league so the Billingham work to restrict this channel as much as possible. When the odd tackle slips then Hull look very dangerous and they finish the half in the ascendancy with Billingham forced to graft across the pitch. Talismanic forward Burns looks to have pulled a fetlock and is switched for the terrier like John Padley as both teams cover the casualties. Debate rages on the mount to Dan Burn’s actual age, I do not get drawn into any guessing (see half time comments). Hull switch the ball around and draw Billingham off side, it’s the kick to the corner and the inevitable catch and drive, send for the big boys. It’s all happening at the far end. The man in the middle’s arm is aloft and feet look to be on the line, it’s a knock on rather than a try to end the half.
Time to take stock and many opt for the club house end for the second half given the flow of play, I remain at altitude, still feeling the hurt from midweek insults. It was guess the distance of the club perimeter based on Sando’s phone on Tuesday night and as I was at the club for once I engaged my logical mindset and plucked out a figure. I would add that this was informed by club legend Chris H’s little snippet of info about the average pitch length. Having come nearest and within touching distance I have been labeled a cheat and charlatan, which really hurt and I would like to request that we return to the usual insults next week if we can please.
Its Billingham to kick off the second half towards the club house, flags indicate that the breeze is still cross field direction and favors kicks towards the bottom left hand corner from our viewpoint. The Kick drifts into the 22 and Hull don’t mess about so boot to ball to exit up the touchline. Billingham take the line out but knock on after a couple of phases, Hull look a different proposition early as the passes are sticking, the forwards are popping offloads and the combinations of forwards/backs look more balanced. They work the ball up the pitch and a high tackle gives a kick to touch for better field position. It’s a couple of line outs but it’s the catch and drive set up, Billingham look to counter but the man in the middle spots players not engaging from the back, with this in mind the next drive is more controlled and ends up over the line as Hull open their account. A tricky angle means the conversion is wide, continuing the tricky day for the kickers but the doughnut is dispatched for 12 – 5.
Billingham kick off and Hull look to exit however the lively Joe Ross collects and sets Billingham away with Dan Dixon quickstepping away from a couple of tackles. The forwards work together to move up the left towards the club house and there’s a big roar as they go close. Hull are offside so Billingham opt for the scrum to get the big lads in, its several phases at close quarters before the long pass which goes out. It’s a Hull line out must be very close to the line, they gather the ball then its dropped and Jacko is the first to react poaching the try in front of the club house. Conversion is wide, good response from Billingham for 17 – 5.
Hull kick off deep, Billingham collect and in a full team move set the combinations moving the ball up the pitch. Peter Evans breaks the line with support outside then the ball sweeps back the other way with Jacko plucking a high pass out of the air, the breakdown work is providing quick ball and Billingham build the phases. Its Joe Ross into the line at pace, nudges over the top and without breaking stride collects the ball, evading the cover he goes over the line and Jobe strokes the extra’s for 24 -5.
Hull kick off long, Jacko collects but bobbles with Brown tidying up, breakdown is a little messy with Hull going in the side right in front of Mr. Blue sky. I don’t know what switched, if it was Hull having nothing to lose or the effort restricting Hull up the middle but Uncle Mo started to have second thoughts. Hull looked to move the ball at speed and with a couple of tackles slipped started to get on the front foot, a couple of sloppy passes and players were caught with the ball. There was a signal of intent early as Hull move the ball over to the left and the pacy winger got free only to put a foot out. In recent weeks Billingham have been behind and to their credit have worked to get ahead by the final whistle, now they were in front and being chased which is quite a change in psychology and perhaps something they didn’t expect. The Hull number 10 is bringing the runners in and rather than looking tired it’s the big push from the Ionians, Pater looks to exit but it’s not out and Hull counter then switch to numbers out on the left. The runner cuts against the grain to go over and the conversion raises the touch judge’s flags. Billingham discuss, Hull look primed and the scoreboard shows 24 -12.
Billingham kick off and Hull look to move it quickly rather than the expected exit, its definitely Hull on the front foot and they move the ball up the pitch, great off loading amongst the forwards which is very hard to defend. Billingham regain but look to play on their own try line and it’s all a bit frantic at the breakdown resulting in a penalty central in front of the sticks. Its Hull in at the corner again, unconverted but only a converted try now to draw level. 24 – 17.
Billingham kick off long as the ball bounces long and out so it comes back for a Hull scrum at halfway. It’s solid from Hull and an advantage at the breakdown, it a kick to touch and yes the catch and drive ritual. Billingham disrupt looking for the seal off but the man in the middle doesn’t except the explained route some players took to arrive. After a couple it’s a final warning which is a very fine line from a card. All the pressure is on Billingham but its back to the no penalty and work hard to tackle and limit gain. There are more penalties, a long pass that bounces awkwardly but into a Billingham hand, Hull look to maul and Billingham seal off. It’s on a knife edge with Hull attacking as they knock on and from the scrum the ball is collected and sent over the stand roof. The whistle sounds and there is a palpable sign of relief around the ground. It’s certainly a different experience being in the lead and being hunted down, not one we are used to in the league.
As always a terrific game which ebbed and flowed for both sides, I expect that the video footage will be reviewed in details during the week. The tape will be stretched by the rewind and fast forward buttons, betamax anybody? Of course top effort on the pitch and the squad depth again proved its self, we continue to build and it’s a full club effort across the board, every player at every level or age group. Our spirit is our strength.
Following up on the communication, if you wish to get on a team bus for an away trip get in quick as they go fast and get on the socials for everything Billingham Rugby lots of big events coming up. This is not a drill!!!!
Must go and pace out the club perimeter again, you never know when that stuff comes in handy.
No time this week for – seal in the shower, how far is it round the perimeter then ?, time to find the gloves, a random selection, yes I have seen the new extension, squad rotation theory, fraggle rock, it’s a little boggy, only one corner, steak pie shortage, the plucky underdog and been on holiday?
“In team work silence isn’t golden, it’s deadly” – Mark Sanborn
An innocent bystander.​