Buoyed by naming an unchanged 18 for the first time this season saw Billingham head to Wakefield to face Sandal.

A well-known opponent who, as we know are a formidable opponent. Saturday was no different.

The weather gods were with us, with the sun shining with only a slight breeze coming across the pitch.

Billingham attacked down the slope. Billingham dominated the early facets of the game. They moved Sandal from one to the other but struggled to make a break through. Billingham won an early penalty and chose to kick to the corner. A Dan Burns take was popped to Conner Foley who spun a pass to Evans who in turn fed Peter Youll who crashed it into an awaiting defender. Sandal quickly turn over possession and exploited Billingham on the blindside.

Sandal evaded would be Billingham defenders to score against the run of play. 5-0

Billingham quickly kicked off and were back in possession again. Clark, Burns and Walton all making head way. As Evans moved the ball wide, Sandal were quick to stop any further attacks.

As Billingham defended a lineout, Sandal sent a runner back down the inner channel where he was met by Mike Whinn who stopped the attacker in his tracks. Nathan Myers latched onto the ball and won the penalty. Quick thinking from the 7 saw Billingham go on the attack again. Myers quick tap saw Billingham on the front front. Foley to Evans who fed Whinn on the inside. Mike Whinn drew the last defender and found 100th cap Anth Jackson to score under the posts. 5-7

Two breaks in play saw Billingham lose centre Luke Wilson and wing Joe Ross to injuries. With only 1 back replacement, Billingham moved Anth Jackson onto the wing and brought on Dan Dixon as number 8.

With the adjustments made, Billingham continued in picking up the pace. Mike Walton was starting to find gaps in the midfield, Evans was finding space behind the defence with some fine kicking.

It was Billinghams forwards that again allowed Billingham to get on the front foot. Burns and Dixon both carried hard only to be thwarted by the Sandal defence. With Sandal now 1 man down due to repeated infringements, Billingham made most of the numbers with Evans sumptuous cross field kick whoch found skipper Elliott Hisband in acres of space. A one on one, Elliott stepped his oppoisite number with ease to dot down. Conv missed. 5-12.

As quickly as Sandal kicked off, they found themselves back in their own half. Another infringement saw Evans kick to the corner. A well worked lineout saw Dan Burns leap high. Sandal didnt compete and meant Burns had to think quickly. A quick turn and drive saw the number 6 muscle his way over the lie. Jobe Roxby kicked the extras. 5-19.

As the half closed out, Sandal started to see some possession and worked their way up to the Billingham tryline. Adam Brown whose defensive displays have been well noticed, made a great tackle which allowed Nathan Myers to turn over possession and Evans to kick the ball out.

With Billingham now going up hill, it was always going to be tough. Sandal enjoyed some early possession but were not able to capatlise. Dan Dixon was able to use the base of Billinghams scrum to mount wave after wave of attacks. Sandal werent getting much off the referee much to the upset of the Sandal crowd.

As Billingham attacked the Sandal line, they once again infringed. This time Jobe Roxby stepped up and nudged over 3 points. 5-22.

Billingham were in control. Anth Jackson was being utilised as an additional centre with some strong carries. Clark, Foulds and Burns all carried hard. A pass wide from Roxby found Peter Youll on the wing. Youll dived for the corner only for the referee to judge it as a knock on.

Again as quick as Sandal cleared , the ball was being ran back Billingham. With Joe Spoors now on for Adam Brown, he was quickly in the game with a big run up the centre. As the forwards carried hard, Evans then found Spoors. Sandal tackled the ball out of Spoors hands. only for Evans to pick up the loose ball and found Dan Burns. As Burns carried the Sandal defence seemed to part with Burns running in from 22 metres untouched. Roxby converted. 5-29.

As time neared the end, it was Sandals turn to up the anti. Two attacks and two tries. Billingham defence tired and were exploited with arguably the best try coming from Sandal in 75th minute. A swift lineout and a training ground move saw Sandal score. 17-29.

Sandal attempted another attack however their own indiscipline cost them. Billingham were able to retain possession and kept hold until the referee called time on the game.

This wasnt the prettiest performance, nor was it exciting. What it did have was an abundance of Billingham. Early casulties saw a full reshuffle. It saw Billingham adapt and adapt they did.

DoR Peter Evans added 'A great weekend. Its always a tough place to come. We showed some great spirit. We know coming to Sandal that they would try stop us playing and they did to some degree but we were able to break them down. We showed another element to our play which I was pleased with'.

A weeks break before we entertain Scunthorpe at home.

#OSIOS