In a week where Amazon confirmed that they will be trialing drone deliveries from their Darlington site, unfortunately too late to aid DMP offload players to other teams across the country it was another packed week for the Green and Whites. Coming off an impressive display at league big boys Leeds and bagging a bonus point the result was to still look up the league due other clubs also gaining points. As the news filters in from other clubs as they receive a squad refresh either from their feeder clubs or players returning to National 2 from National 1 once the money runs out it puts into focus the level at which Billingham are currently playing. We do have players with exotic backgrounds like Martin Hopley but it’s the local contingent that rock up week in/week out. It’s a very tight squad but be under no illusion about what motivation is needed to play, train and recover against all of the odds, call it sheer bloody mindedness, value for money or whatever you feel but it sets a very high bar. The fact that there is also a contingent of players breaking through and wanting to get that game time for the 1sts, 2nds and 3rds highlights the club ethic and long may it continue.
Also a big mention for the Junior section, with the U14 girls into the Country cup, lots of support and a massive achievement across the age groups for supporters, coaches and managers who work behind the scenes. Great to see coach/mentor/club leg end Ste Gordon live from the balcony via socials during the week. If you want to keep up then get on the socials or get down for a match but I warn you it’s nothing like what you read here, it’s much, much better.
A really cold but worthwhile gym session during the week, the usual high calibre of chat and the bar area was being made ready for the 6 nations with an extra telly being hung. Requests from the bar for report mentions abound, don’t really know how I’m going to fit them in Mathew (Bar manager and all round good guy). There are the usual hidden words and themes, plus I understand there is a drinking game related to mentions of a certain player. It’s not big or clever but spoiler, line them shots up for this one as Burns collects, catches or plucks feature heavily.
This is a re-arranged fixture as the last was abandoned at half time with Billingham ahead, which was apparently due to the conditions so let’s see how this one pans out. It would have also been brother vs. brother but Ben Walton is out injured so only one Walton on the AGP and that’s the visitor. It’s a clear day but with a cutting wind as I arrive in good time (surprise) to wander up to the mount. DJ Revell supplying the tunes and the U12’s with cake, not a bad start plus it’s a double bubble with the 2nd’s at home. The flags indicate a stiff breeze from Greenwood road across the pitch, strong enough to blow the clipboard across the bench if I put it down.
2nds and Morpeth are out first on the side pitch, then Fylde with cherry and amber hoops, white shorts on to the AGP followed by the Green and White. The man in the middle in sky blue which contrasts with the grey of the actual sky plus line officials in red are in place, hands warmed by the feel of warm pastry ( thanks Mr H) we are off.
Fylde kick off towards the club house into the breeze and the stand side corner, Billingham collect (wait for it) then retain for a couple of phases then move it dugout side, Louis Groak getting an early stretch of the legs. The man in the middle in early decision mode, it comes back for a penalty and Peter Evans pops into touch. Billingham collect line out ball and recycle well, Luke Wilson with a foray up the middle, Fylde step offside and Peter goes for the corner. The Billingham forwards jog in and Dan Burns rises to collect, back on land the forwards look to drive it in, arm up for the advantage Billingham play on with Eldon Myers spinning out of a tackle as Billingham continue to get over the gain line. Fylde contain the advantage so it’s a quick tap penalty and Dan Dixon at pace with work to do who goes in to break the whitewash. The conversion goes across the face of the posts but its bright start from the home side for 5-0 and an early penalty count for the visitors.
Fylde send up a high one not too long and its collected so it’s a chance for some posetion, and its sets out the Fylde pattern for the afternoon as they get into a rhythm of regular phases. They retain the ball well, send the forwards in strong, it’s all very busy and relentless but a lot of the time it is side to side as Billingham look to contain and then reset the defensive line. Clean breaks are in short supply and Fylde bobble the ball out in the tackle to allow Peter a chance to clear up field. Slightly misjudged by the Fylde 11 who get fingers tips to the ball as it goes into touch so Billingham ball. Billingham line out is clean and they probe across the pitch from dugout to stand side and back. Fylde hold firm and Billingham drop the ball which looks backwards but the man in the middle indicates knock on. It’s still well into Fylde territory so its quickly out and exit to touch to provide a temporary respite. Its Billingham back on the front foot from the line out as they stretch the Fylde defence out wide then bring it back across, strong runs from Burns and Dixon make good gains. The backs go close and Fylde get to eager at the breakdown, as the man in the middle says no hands Fylde decide to stay in. Penalty which is taken quickly, Burns is tied up but its Dan Dixon again to burst over and bag a brace. Peter adds the extras from a central position, a very impressive strong first quarter for the home side at 12 – 0.
No retrieve for Fylde at the kick off this time as Burns secures and Peter pumps the ball up filed soon after. The Fylde 11 clean catch this time and then shows his wheels up the touch line, only a toe in touch about halfway stops him getting into clean air. Line out is not straight so its scrum time and Fylde set this one then head stand side with a nice loop and hands. Billingham cover and it’s not released at the breakdown so handed back, loose lips add another 10 as the man in the middle sets the tone. Its Fylde on the front foot for a while as they go into the phases rhythm aided with a couple of penalties for high tackles. It is hunt for the gap but when it goes astray it seems that it’s a Fylde free ball so they make steady progress up the pitch. There’s a glimpse of a gap outside Burns but it’s closed by Dixon as everyone works to contain. Billingham stray offside to allow Fylde to kick into the dugout side bottom corner however at the line out a mystery whistle sounds leading to a scrum. Billingham scrums starts to get the upper hand as Adam Brown, Ed Graham and Dan Dixon work Fylde hard and get the pen, to then exit with a kick to touch, in prime place this acts as a club house warmer. Dixon two tries under his belt leaves for a breather as James Watson joins the front row. Fylde overthrow at the line out and Burns snaffles the ball, a couple of breakdowns later and the evergreen forward pops up on the other wing for a trade mark run, complemented by support from Ryan Kirkbride. Billingham look to move across to the dugout side it breaks down in the middle, Fylde look to break out and it’s a nudge through which are always tricky, the Fylde 11 collects and turns on the gas to go all the way. Converted it banishes the doughnut for the visitors and is a temporary bubble buster for the home team who were knocking on the door 12 – 7.
Billingham kick off and too eager clatter the catcher in the air, a very easy penalty for the man in the middle. Fylde move down the pitch courtesy of the kick to touch then from the line out apply successive phases to keep the ball alive and turn the screw. Amongst the calls for be patent Fylde get a min break but then lose the ball so it’s back for an earlier infringement. Fylde opt for the sticks and it’s straight down the middle as Fylde move the scoreboard on 12 – 10.
The tackle is timed well this time as Billingham look to pin Fylde in from the kick off, it’s along the line but Billingham retrieve. Jo Scarborough has a little gap out wide as Fylde close it quickly, Edgy with support running then Luke Wilson for a break as the man in the middle raises his arm again. It’s a scrum option which Billingham control then it’s looking for the gap, Josh Wilson goes close but Fylde collect and take over the line. Its 5 meter scrum, Billingham ball and a solid set up provides further chances as the forwards go close, Billingham look to send it wide but its picked off by Fylde and its foot race down the line in front of the stand. Billingham look to chase the rainbow but Fylde go the length of the pitch and with the conversion end the half ahead 12 – 17, another potential momentum changer to mull over in the changing rooms.
The mount regulars set off towards the club house for refreshments whilst those remaining move to get some blood back in the legs. The usual mixed conversation points fill in the break but like January it passes all too quick and we are ready for the second half.
Billingham start the second half kicking off towards the club house, the breeze is variable now with the flags uncommitted to any direction. Fylde signal a change in focus as they look to get the outside wheels into action as soon as possible, high tackle and Ryan K is flashed a yellow. Both side look to establish a foothold in the second half but its Fylde asking the questions early but fail to capitalise. Billingham continue to be strong at the set piece, Burns playing havoc with the Fylde line out, Tom Campbell providing options and the scrum being solid or dominant. From this base Billingham look to move it quick with Elliot Husband busy in the breakout which leads to a chance as it quick through hands and Scabs is into space but dropped ball allows Fylde to exit. Billingham have another chance but knock on then follow up with a penalty plus 10 for chat. The frustration is set aside as Burns contests the line out and the scrum gets the upper hand, this allows the Eldon Myers to whistle through. Stopped by a high tackle Billingham play on as boom-boom Brown goes close. The man in the middle is getting RSI as is arm is aloft and constant infringements see a yellow for Fylde to even the teams. Billingham opt to take the tap with Brown offload to Eldon Myers for the try. Converted the home side strike first in the second to get their nose ahead at 19 -17.
Fylde kick up towards the mount for the first time, Billingham collect and look to move it away from the Fylde forwards towards the dugout side. Eldon Myers spin buys time in the middle as Billingham get numbers wide, through hands its out to Scabs securely. Step inside then outside step to get the space then run in to nab the next try in front of the club house.
Kick off doesn’t go the distance so it’s back for the scrum halfway, it’s a Peter nudge down the stand side for a chase into touch. Fylde knock on at the line out giving Billingham the platform for further chances plus Jamie Lane enters the fray. Its quick ball as Billingham test both sides but it ends up coming back across as Dan Dixon bags another. Converted it takes the home team to 31 – 17, a quick double opens a gap which we have been on the receiving end of a few times this season.
Fylde kick off and get over the ball quickly in the breakdown, looks like Fylde want a response but it’s all a bit frantic as passes are dropped and wingers have feet in touch. Billingham look to contain across the park and squeeze the life out of the game, Nathan Myers and Tom Campbell in the thick of it. Billingham hands in are pinged and it’s a bit of breather for running repairs plus Nathan calls for ice presumably for his G&T. As Fylde go close Billingham steal the ball and Josh Wilson breaks up the stand side to start the counter. Aided with penalties Billingham move up the pitch, a couple line outs taken by Burns, a great snipe by Jamie ending with a sweeping play as the ball goes cleanly through hands and Louis Groak finishes. Unconverted the home side continue to switch players to see out the game at 36 – 17.
Still time to go and Fylde are looking to get something out of the game so Billingham have to dig deep to keep the defence going. At the set piece Fylde are having no joy so it’s keep the ball and get the phases in. They opt to kick over the top but Peter collects wandering into touch to tidy up and Burns steals the line out so boot is put to ball. Not out allows Fylde bring it back but Scabs forces the winger foot into touch as Billingham continue frustrate the Fylde attack. When Billingham get the chance the move the ball downfield but the ball is dropped however a dominant Billingham scrum gets the penalty. Peter decides to put it to bed via the sticks 39 -17.
Time for a restart as Fylde again go stand side, swap some tricky passing and end up with a foot in touch. Billingham see out the match with another strong carry from Josh Wilson and a Peter inside pass to boom-boom Brown who romps up the pitch. Its time up at the breakdown as the home team collect a full bifter points wise.
A massive shift from the Billingham squad, a few players arriving into the team but tempo was bang on from the first minute. The intercepts in the first half could have knocked confidence but the squad stuck in and that was no fluke or weather related advantage. The next question is who gets the nod next time out after that effort and result, bus spaces are limited if you want to find out. Ooh la la.
No time in this report for borrowed sound system, the queue in Costa (other coffee shops are available), shouldn’t you be in the technical area, team news incoming, I was on the other side of the pitch, match report requests, hotshot blowback, retrieved from the bin, are you sure that’s straight?, Hot pie juggler, player exodus and the air burns your lungs.
“I knew what I wanted to accomplish, and I knew how much work it took to achieve those goals.
I then put in the work and trusted in it.” — Kobe Bryant

An innocent bystander.