Billingham 25 - 15 Percy Park
Park lost to league leaders Billingham, but not without a fight and were still in the hunt with minutes to go. The difference between the two sides was, that the Greenfields side were more clinical in their finishing and took their chances well, and Park made a few too many errors on which the home side capitalised.
Billingham got off the the best of starts with only three minutes on the clock as Shepherd (C) beat the Park defence to the ball in a kick and chase down their left hand flank for the touch down, although Evans missed with the conversion attempt.
Percy Park more than matched their teeside counterparts in the tight, but Billingham scored on 10 minutes when a caught and driven line out advanced some 20 yards before the ball was spun out to the backs. Fly half Evans saw a slight gap and was through. Although he was stopped just short of the line, he stretched out and was able to score, but again missed his conversion. Billingham now led 10 -0 after as many minutes.Park soon struck back with a Phil Morse penalty after the home side were judged to be offside, although Evans (P) cancelled out the score with a penalty of his own on the quarter hour. Despite the shakey start, the visitors soon got into their stride and had a good deal of possesion, and young left wing Phil Thompson scored his debut 1st XV try after John Scott broke out from a scrum just outside the Billingham 22. Morse missed with the conversion, and with the score 13 - 8 and half time approaching the Park supporters spirits rose, only to be dashed seconds later.
From the restart the ball was kick straight out and Park opted for a scrum on half way. The ball was won but a lapse of concentration at the base allowed Evans (A) to snaffle the ball which found Garbutt on the left and the speedy wing sprinted to the line to score on the stroke of half time.
In the second half Park had the wind and slope advantage, and early in the half, the visitors had a chance to reduce the deficiet but Phil Morse was just off target with his penalty attempt. For ten minutes Park failed to exploit the wind advantage, but eventually a well placed kick by fly half Martin Shaw, took Park up to the Billingham 22. Percy Park retrieved the ball which went loose from the line out and Adam Fidler pounced on the defender as he retrieved the ball close to the line. Park recycled and Ian Elliot went over for the try which Rutter converted having replaced Morse early at full back. The score was now 18 - 15, and the home supporters were silent and jittery.
The clock ticked on but Percy Park couldn't win sufficient ball to attack the home side defences. Eventually with only two minutes to go Evans (M) sealed the victory for the home side attacking the Park defensive line exploiting a gap between prop and wing to go over for the try, with brother, Evans (P) kicking the conversion for the 25 - 15 win.
The victory means that Billingham are now assured of at least a play off spot with the all important game against Sandal coming up on 27th March 2010. Park are now perilously close to the relegation zone with the bolts being loosened on the trap door, and the game away to Carlisle next week will be crucial.
Elsewhere in the club, both the Lions and Marauders booked their place in the finals of their respective cup competions which are due to take place on Saturday 27th March. The Lions won 22 -14 against Tynedale Hoppers and will play Alnwick II who beat Northern Wanderers in the other semi final. The Marauders won a thrilling high scoring game in extra time against Ponteland Vets, away, 34 - 43.