The nervous sweats are starting to dry up following the end of the game which was a real advocate for National 3 rugby!

Heath held top spot winning all 6 games prior and looked very much the side as they turned up early to start their preparations. Having been promoted from the league below it is evident they have recruited cleverly. Former Sale FC fly half Chris Johnson a notable signature, a big influence for Heath.

It was Heath that started the early stages well. A solid scrum allowed Heath to throw the ball from right to left. They showed their clear attacking threat. Billingham were penalised for not rolling away on 4 minutes. Heath duly converted the penalty. 0-3

For the next 12 minutes it was a real boxing match. Both sides really getting the feel of one another. On 16 mins, Billingham found another gear. Dan Burns found a gap through the middle of the ruck. Conner Foley fired the ball out to Peter Evans who drew his man and found Kirby out wide. Kirby took the tackle. Carries from Ben Walton and Kieran Clark put Billingham again on the front foot.

Foleys speed of ball was on point. Husband received the ball at fly half and found Mike Walton in the centres. A gap appeared for the returning second rower, a swift hand off allowed Walton to gallop in from 22 metres untouched. The wind proved a sticking point for the kick with the conversion missed. 5-3

Heath kicked off and Billingham were soon on the attack. Dan Dixon carried hard. Again Burns found a gap through the middle of the ruck. Quick ball allowed Peter Evans to fire the ball across to Peter Youll who carried into the Heath defence. Again the speed of ball from Foley allowed Billingham to catch Heath on the back foot. Mike Walton drawing 2 defenders finding Jobe Roxby who was able to showcase his speed running in from 45 metres. Conversion missed. 10-3.

On 30 minutes a quick tap from Peter Evans saw him waltz through the Heath defence. Facing the full back, Evans stepped one way then the other sitting down the 15 before cantering over the whitewash. Jobe Roxby converted. 17-3

It wasnt long before Billingham were on the scoreboard again. This time Heath were penalised for not rolling away. Conner Foley took the quick tap, brushing off 2 would be tacklers. He drew the last defender and found Peter Evans on hand to score his second of the day. Roxby converted. 24-3

Billingham clearly smelt blood. Dan Dixon carrying hard. Mike Walton was replaced by Witness Mandhizha. Billingham attacked through the forwards. Ben Walton carrying hard off the shoulder of the flyhalf. As Billingham attacked the tryline, Heath were penalised twice in quick succession for we believe killing the ball. Heath were given a yellow card as a result. Billingham chose to scrum. Jackson passed from the base. Hands down the line found Matt Kirby who duly scored in the corner. Conversion missed. 29-3

Half time 29-3

The second half started. Heath looked pumped up and ready. They had been stung. Billingham came on the attack and were rewarded with a scrum on the 5 metre line. A scrum ensued. Adam Brown showing his scrummaging prowess. Heath were on the backfoot, the ball squirted out the back of the scrum. Heaths scrum half tried to dive on the ball but under pressure kicked it towards their own line. As quick as a flash Conner Foley gathered the bobbling ball and scored. Conversion missed, 34-3.

With Billingham scoring many thought this was game over... many of the Billingham players thought the same. Heath thought differently.

Heath from nowhere started their immediate comeback when they spread the ball wide, missed tackles saw Heath score in the right corner. From Billinghams kick off, Heath came straight back on the attack. Billinghams defence seemed lacklustre... something we hadnt seen. Heath were clinical in their phase play. They started to showcase why they had won 6 out of 6. On 56 minutes, Heath were on the scoreboard again. The conversion was kicked. 34-15

On 66 minutes with Heath again on the attack, Billingham were penalised. As a result of consecutive penalties Peter Evans was shown a yellow. The 10 minutes proved costly as Heath went on to score 12 unanswered points, 34-27.

Heath's tails were up. It was their turn to smell blood. They had turned things around and were now going for the win.

Heath attacked Billinghams left flank but this time their handling let them down. From the resulting scrum, Heath were penalised. A huge cheer could be heard from the Billingham crowd. There was just minutes left. Peter Evans returned to the field. Foulds was accurate with his arrows finding Ben Walton. Billingham utilised their maul effectively. Heath did their best to disrupt but Dan Dixon had other thoughts. Another big carry from the experienced number 8 saw Billingham make their way up to Heaths 22 metre line. Peter Evans saw space out wide. A clever cross field kick saw the ball make its way towards replacement Joe Ross. The ball bobbled, the crowd gasped as the ball somehow got caught by Joe Ross using his legs. In what can only be described as some sort of Judo move, Joe under pressure from a Heath defender, scooped the ball from between his legs to dot down in the corner. Billinghams support erupted. A huge gasp of relief as Billingham secured a 39-27 win.

This game was really a game of two halves. Billingham dominated the first and Heath the second. Both sides showed why they are at the top end of the table.

As a supporter it was relief, from a Heath perspective it would be frustration and from a neutral it was an excellent game of rugby.

As we take a breath... next up is Ilkley away. Always a tough fixture. Billingham will need to regather themselves, re-evaluate and go again.

#OSIOS