U16s - New kit, new record, old fashioned work ethic

Billingham travelled across the A66 to face DMP on the back of previous encounters between the two teams which have always been closely contested affairs, although travelling with only 13 players on this occasion. In order to make the best of the day the teams agreed to loan two players from blue and white stripes to join the forward pack in green and white, well done to Tom Freary, not for the first time, and also to Daniel Wanless-Brown.

On a pitch that could be described as soft but without any surface water, looks like the drainage now works, the game got underway in near perfect conditions

With the Billingham 10 in possession of the ball the ref signalled the game underway and somewhat unusually DMP started the brighter and were soon on the scoreboard. Good passing through the backline found Danny Winter collect the ball on halfway and with a turn of pace and a couple of good hand-offs he crossed the whitewash. Billingham probably gave DMP too much space in the middle and allowed themselves to be turned around throughout the early exchanges. Within a few minutes the boys had gone through a number of phases and found themselves on the opposition 22, this time a good pick and drive from Matty S found him driving for the line near the corner and with the help of his team-mates he went over for the score. In a similar move down the opposite line, Josh Brown was the one on hand this time to drive over, Ross Boddy adding the extras. The points in all cases being the result of good teamwork, solid work in the tackle and some excellent rucking, noticeable that the length of the ruck was making it nearly impossible for the opposition to drive through. The half was only past midway and the boys in blue and white were adding their fourth try, a trademark barrelling run from the immense Dom Dawson, once again Ross added the extras. The boys were now well on top and maybe a little lapse of concentration allowed their opponents to make progress through the middle before getting the ball wide for their first try. However this appeared to wake the boys up as virtually the last play of the game saw Harry Evans running a nice line to collect the ball on the opposition 22 and go in under the posts. Oranges, 29 - 5.

With the second half six minutes old the boys in green and white, driven on by a blue and white engine room, made their second visit across the whitewash to double their score. For the initial exchanges it looked like they may be about to attempt a fightback until another storming effort from Josh Brown stopped them in their tracks, also doubling his try count for the game. The conversion was a superb effort from Ross. With the clock barely moved on five minutes Josh was completing his hat trick with what is becoming his trademark, crossing the line with three defenders trying to bring him down. The boys had once again well and truly regained the upperhand and another try from the backs this time, Danny Winter going in to finish a good passing move and double his count for the day, another conversion added by Ross. Across the pitch all of the players were doing their jobs and it was clear that there would be further scoring opportunities, sure enough with another ten minutes gone it was James Souter who crossed the line, capitalising on an opposition error. The opposing players were still putting in the effort and it is to their credit that they were still battling and keeping our boys honest. However it was no surprise to see the scoreboard tick over again, once more Josh Brown driving through a number of the opposition to score again. Another great conversion from Ross, who completed the scoring a few minutes later with a surging run and try.

A good win for DMP and a great squad effort. A tip of the cap to the boys, coaches and supporters from Billingham, they never gave up.

MotM - Tom Freary and Daniel Wanless-Brown....great sports.
Penny - Wee Will!