With only 2 games being played in the league due to the weather, Billingham welcomed Alnwick to Greenwood Road.

It was 1st versus 2nd, it was a loss to avenge, it was another cup final.

A mention needs to be given to the ground staff for getting the game on. An early ground check by the referee... it was all good!

The first half Billingham attacked the club. Billingham came out of the blocks like men possessed. Multiple penalties' saw Billingham head into the 22 of Alnwick. A lineout and maul crept Billingham up to the 5 metre line but for Alnwick to be adjudged to have pulled it down. Skipper Husband chose an early scrum. Conner Foley quickly found Peter Evans who sent Luke Wilson bulldozing through Alnwicks number 10 to cross over. Jobe Roxby added the extras. 7-0

Alnwick kicked deep from the kick off. Burns taking and carrying upfield. Billingham attacked the fringes well through Roxby and Ross. Billingham gathered momentum and Alnwick were once again penalised, this time for killing the ball. Jobe Roxby stepped up and knocked over the 3 points. 10-0

Again straight from the kick off, Billingham attacked. Peter Youll carrying with Jordan Foulds on hand. Alnwick were again penalised. Quick thinking from the elusive Conner Foley saw the scrum half take a quick tap, evading 2 defenders before finding second rower Ben Walton to put his foot down and score to the left of the posts. Jobe kicked the extras. 17-0

Alnwick tried to switch the kick off but Elliott Husband was alert taking the kick. Wilson found Evans in the wide channel feeding Mike Walton out wide. The the ruck, the ball found its way down the line to full back Husband who with a deft gruber drove Alnwick into their 22. The bonus was the kick was from their own half meaning a 50-22. Billingham caught the lineout and drove Alnwick back over and it was John Padley who scored on the back of it. Jobe converted. 24-0

Unfortunately decisions werent going Alnwicks way when they had a front rower sin binned following multiple team offences.

With Billingham on the front foot, they capitalised on the extra man when the ball found its way into the hand of Dan Dixon, who from 7 metres out wasnt going to be stopped. Conversion missed. 29-0

With the bonus point in the bag, Billingham started to play with more freedom. A great team try followed with Youll scoring in the corner. Conversion missed 34-0

Alnwick did have a spell in the first half but for John Padley to turn the ball over. From one of the pitch to the other Billingham showed immense skills and pace to allow Jobe Roxby to score in the corner. 39-0

However before half time, Alnwick did get on the score sheet with their pack driving forward and over the try line. The conversion was missed. 39-5

The referee called half time. Both sides went inside to get war,. Now we have seen Billingham take a hearty lead before but seem to allow other teams back into the game.... however today wasnt that day!

Alnwick came out fired up and dominated the early phases of the second half. It was man of the match John Padley who turned the ball over to get Billingham on the front foot again.

As Billingham made their way into Alnwicks half, it was a Luke Wilson break through the middle who found replacement centre Matt Kirby to score under the posts. Jobe knocked the extras over. 46-5

With Kirbys scoring it seemed to knock Alnwick off their stride. Any sign of a comeback were thwarted when Luke Wilson sent the opposition the wrong way with an outrageous dummy. Wilson was caught just short of the line but for Mike Walton to run in and drive Wilson over against 3 defenders to score. Jobe adding the extras. 53-5

With the temperature dropping, Billingham seemed to drop a gear when Alnwicks forwards once again drove them forward. Billingham repented but Alnwick had too much momentum. 53-10

Billingham did have the last word... with possibly the try of the game. Just about all 15 players had touched the ball before seeing Ben Walton cross the line for his second. Jobe kicked the extra 60-10

Now was this an exceptional Billingham or a poor Alnwick. We know Alnwick, we know they are capable as shown earlier in the season but Billingham wanted this more. It seemed Alnwick were shell shocked at times but they did show spells of class and know theyll be pushing Billingham right to the end.

DoR Peter Evans 'It was a statement. However we need to back that up next week against Cleckheaton. Its another cup final. No game is an easy game. What i would like to see is a big crowd the last game before the Christmas break. So come on down and support the boys!'

#OSIOS