Match report

Stockton 4 Billingham 7
Billingham made the short journey to Stockton for a local Derby day. What made things more challenging with injuries, absences etc only 12 players were available. Never the less Billingham walked on to the pitch heads high ready to do battle. Billingham started with a beautiful high kick from Lewin Tubuna that landed on the left of the pitch. With the ball in Stockton’s hands they ran the ball in from a forward pod and smashed through Billingham’s defences, despite his small size Jackson Bell pummelled through the ball carrier, however strong rucking from Stockton gave them an opportunity to ship the ball to the wing with fast hands to put themselves on the score board. Billingham hit back with an amazing try of their own. It was 1-1 when Stockton passed the ball through the hands of their back line and the Stockton winger made a run and put them 2-1 up at half time.

After half time Billingham knew they needed to step up but as they were getting their heads in the game Stockton ran another 2 tries in.

With only 12 men and the second half well underway Billingham really were up against it. Billingham had other ideas and Daniel Waldock came back with determination and as Stockton ran their biggest forward through midfield he stopped him dead in his tracks, he came down with a thud, Daniel was on a roll and brought another 2 Stockton players down with great force. We sensed a change and the defence stepped up pushing Stockton back at every opportunity. Charlie Evans started the comeback running through several would be tacklers to bag himself a try. Billingham started to turn the screw and with tries from Eben Robinson 2, Jackson Bell and Freddie gardener put Billingham in front for the first time in the game. To end the game in the last couple of seconds Will Cooper ran the length of the pitch to score the last try of the game, with the fury of the Billingham jets in his midst. The entirety of the Billingham team huddled together and rejoiced in a large cheer after ending the game 4-7. Stockton played an amazing game with hard running and strong tackling. The celebrations at the final whistle told everyone what a hard game it had been. Thank you to the players and coaches for the great game and we look forward to playing you again in our neck of the woods in February. Man of the match award give by Stockton was Joe Syson and the coaches unable to pick one of their own gave it to all of the 12 heroes who gave everything for the shirt today!

By Daniel Waldock