BAMBOOZLED AT BILLINGHAM.

1 Joe Stevens Adey Professional Heating Solutions
2 Andy Powers Bay Travel
3 Ross Pillow Fatlads Utd
4 Ciaran Sutcliffe Carpet and Floorcare
5 Harry Vause CM Ferguson Decorating
6 Bobby Holdbrook SJB Tiling Ltd
7 Jack Ayrton Allan Entwistle
8 Sam Wallbank George Dickson
9 Billy Swarbrick The Alies
10 Alex Briggs Jilly Beads
11 Jordan Fern Online Systems
12 Jordan Dorrington Ron Higgin
13 Ethan Robertson AJB Electrical
14 Lee Starkey Baines Plumbing & Heating
15 Chris Ramwell Martin Woodhouse
16 Tom Smith Mathews Benjamin/ Fine and Country
17 Mathews Benjamin/Fine and Country.
18 Mathews Benjamin/Fine and Country

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Vale of Lune meandered their way north eastwards for their first ever visit to Billingham fully aware that both clubs approached their second meeting of the season from opposite ends of the compass. A win for Billingham would send them north for a possible play off slot, while defeat for Vale would despatch them southwards to almost certain relegation, therefore on paper there was plenty to play for, albeit for contrasting reasons.
Billingham used to be the epicentre of the petro chemical industry and although the lab coats have long since been packed away Billingham RUFC have discovered a formula that more than meets their needs at their superb headquarters at Greenwood Road with its modern facilities, including a state of the art all weather playing surface and a new stand. Billingham hosted an England versus Scotland under 18’s international on March 15 in front of a capacity crowd of 1,500, a proud moment in the club’s history.
But all their attention switched to the visit of beleaguered Vale who had struggled throughout the week to put a side together and eventually had to travel with only sixteen players, hardly the right mindset to take on a side that was smarting after their defeat at Kirkby Lonsdale and were determined to climb back into playoff contention.
It came as no real surprise that the hosts rampaged through a Vale side that only contained six players who had been in the squad that defeated Billingham, 21-19, at the end of November, while Billingham were able to call on thirteen of those that played in their defeat at Powderhouse Lane.
The “Powderhouse Six” in the ranks for the first meeting were Andy Powers, Ross Pillow, Jack Ayrton, Sam Wallbank, Jordan Dorrington and Chris Ramwell, but even their broad shoulders were unable to stem the tide that swamped the Vale.
Vale had a new second row pairing in debutants Ciaran Sutcliffe and Harry Vause, two young players who showed enormous promise, they never took a step back and played with gusto throughout in what was a demanding baptism of fire. Flanker Bobby Holdbrook was making his first appearance of the season and as always was in the thick of the action but on the day the Vale were no match for a well drilled, fit, quality side in a club that is very much looking to the future.
In perfect conditions the Vale were the first to score when following a passage of positive rugby in which the ball was moved swiftly around to create space for wing forward Jack Ayrton to burst clear for an unconverted try. However, Vale’s enterprising opening was quickly cancelled out with an unconverted try in the seventh minute.
Two more tries were added, one of which was converted before the end of the first quarter as a quicksilver Billingham side took a firm grip on the reins and comfortably eased their way to a comfortable victory and their highest point’s total of the season.
By half time Billingham had rattled in four further tries, one of which was converted, to leave the Vale shell shocked and in need of a pick me up but none was forthcoming because two minutes into the second half they were pushed back into the toaster when Billingham sent the electronic scoreboard blinking yet again with an unconverted try, followed by two more, one being converted all inside the opening ten minutes. Phew! This was heady stuff indeed even for the home supporters.
To their credit the Vale battled bravely on against overwhelming odds but Billingham were in no mood to soft pedal their way to the final whistle. Vale’s second try came in the sixty second minute with a real collector’s item, namely a try from prop Ross Pillow. Ross was making his 128th appearance and thumbing through my gin soaked records in the dead of night this was his first! His try came from a rare prolonged occupation of Billingham territory after Jordan Dorrington had scooted through to put the Vale on the front foot.
Vale’s spirited encounter could not be sustained as Billingham reset their instruments to purloin three more tries, two being converted to bring the total of points conceded by the Vale in their last three games to an eye watering 213.
There are three more North Premier fixtures to be completed before the last fixture on April 13, which cannot come soon enough for those shell shocked supporters in Vale’s camp, because it will bring a nightmare season to an end and they can stop sleeping with the landing lights on.
Billingham’s eyes meanwhile are firmly fixed on something far more exciting as they stretch every sinew to achieve their objectives, both on and off the field. They are very much looking to the future as an article in their colourful, informative, well produced programme reminds the membership of the challenges ahead. “So every time you pull on a shirt, every time you walk into a changing room, every time you watch your team play ask yourself this...”What can I do to help us all achieve our dream?” We can all say amen to that.
Despite the savagery of the final score line all those who played for the Vale in such a one sided contest are to be congratulated on answering the call and just like what had happened recent games they did not let the club down in their hour of need, they played with great spirit until the final whistle. Well done lads, the Alies salute you.