A first taste of any rugby action for over 95% of the squad after 15 months of being without.... god we missed it!

A large squad was selected to face a Seaham side who had a familiar face in their ranks. Albeit looking different, bleached blonde hair it was former Billingham player Harry-Jon Morgan who was donning the 13 shirt. A popular character amongst the green and white however for 80 mins that was forgotten.

A new leadership team was in place with Sam Wilson taking the captaincy for the new season. The squad had a nice blend of experience and youth that was tasked with the challenge of over coming the harbor men.

Watched over by Head Coach Peter Evans and his coaching team of Dan Burns and Dan Finney the Lions came out of the blocks firing. Newly signed Ethan Hall and Anth Rumis looked physical in their defence with well timed shots that put Harbor on the back foot. Luke 'Wanger' Featherstone dictated things well from 10 allowing centre partnership of Gardner and Bollands to have the run of the field.

The one voice that was heard majority of the game was the vastly experienced Will Turnbull. Many of Billinghams attacks started through Will. His guile and balanced running allowed the likes of Westall, Roxby and Reay to play off his shoulder. Giraffe legged Ben Walton was as ever impressive. Impressive in D and destructive with ball in hand.

Majority of the play was played in the harbor half. With no scrums or mauls play was quicker than normal. This worked in the favour of Billingham allowing the Lions to move the ball around.

The first half ticked over nicely although 3 tries were disallowed for forward passes..... There was rustiness but that was to be expected. Lions re grouped and started again.

As the half came to the end the Lions were on top and were looking to build a score with Seaham not looking likely to score.

First half scorer: Walton, Rumis, Roxby, Gardner with a mix of Hopley and Fez kicking for goal. 29-0

The second half... the weather had turned. Temperatures dropped, the rain started (that rain that soaks you through) but the players were undeterred. Changes were made and the game restarted.

It wasnt long before Ben Walton was going over the whitewash to score for the first points of the half.

Next to score was Kev Vaughan. Signed back in early 2020, surprisingly this was Kev's debut for the green and white!!! One touch, 3 defenders beaten and a score. Just a glimpse of whats to come???

Over the course of the half the game losts its flow slightly. More disallowed tries (similar to that of the Bristol game the other night) however with more changes Billingham picked things back up. Cain Gaffney returning after a 2 year hiatus looked raring to go... an impressive tackling display from the openside.

2 members of the club and who had been enjoying the more social side of rugby with one working in London and the other juggling family life and work, Nic Winstanley and Ben Elgie came off the bench and did not look out of place. Both have been work hard in training throughout lockdown and were deserving of their appearance. Elgie even managed some meat pie!!

Second half scorers: Walton, Vaughan, S Wilson, Ben Elgie. Kicks: Roxby x 3

Full time: 50 - 0

Credit to Seaham... they looked really good. I think if scrums and mauls had been a factor we may have seen a little difference in the 50-0 scoreline. The pace of the game took it away from them a little but still nonetheless hats off to the harbor men. They were gritty and determined throughout. We wish them all the best for the forthcoming season and hopefully we can come up to Harbor for a return fixture.

Lastly..it was great to see to spectators back at Greenwood Road. Its been a long time coming...in fact TOO long!!

Thank you to everyone involved in making the evening great

#OSIOS