As the players met at Preston Avenue on another beautiful Saturday afternoon , there was disbelief all round. They were shocked with the news that last weeks hero , had been omitted from the match-day squad . I know , I can imagine anybody reading this article will be aghast , mouth open at reading that news ! 77-3 , a man of the match performance , and he doesn't even make the bench ! Fortunately , a huge squad had been assembled , allowing Jobson Snr to rest , no doubt he will be required next week such is the unpredictability of players availability . Last week the Lions totalled 13 , 5 of that 13 weren't present this week , but today we were able to relax with a full compliment .
Park started as follows ; Ward , Pollock , Kidd , Langlands , Saint , Warren , Henessey , Lenahan , Gilmore , Dale , Baldwin , Scott , Danil , Caufield , Gould . Former Seghill 'Waterboy' and international referee would get the game underway , with Park attacking towards Bobby's tree . The Lions started brightly but weren't cohesive enough to keep Arthur Turnbull busy on the scoreboard .
The visitors were first to score . A penalty on their own 10m line was kicked to touch just outside the Park 22 . At the lineout , Billingham threw to the middle and won clean ball for their backs . A cheeky little move bringing in the blindside winger through the Park midfield and over the fullback to score . 0-7 .
A second score followed almost immediately. Park had tried to hit straight back but decided not to pass to the winger on the overlap then tried an offload in the tackle . The loose ball was snapped up by Billingham who after two quick offloads of their own were in under the posts ! 0-14 .
Worse was to follow with another try . From a scrum in the Park 22 , the opposition backs attacked the midfield with purpose and forced their way through . 0-19 .
Despite the visitors rattling up 3 scores , Park were far from out of this . They were causing Billingham problems , but were guilty of not capitalising on the opportunities with the pressure they had created . However , they would score just on the halftime whistle , though they tried their best not to ! This weeks token veteran Dunn , supported by Langlands linked well in true 'Chuckle Brother ' style i.e. to me , to you , to me , to you . The latter producing good ball to release the backs . It would seem that all winger Baldwin needed to do was catch the ball and he would be in . But , with the pass slightly behind him , the winger was forced back infield into the chasing defence . A couple of phases later and it looked like the opportunity had gone . However the ball found its way to the 'Ginger Adonis ' Scott . The future Royal Marine decided enough was enough , route 1 , and after a few collisions scored . 7-19 . HT .
The following would take the field for the second half ; Ward , Pollock , Kidd , Dryden , Langlands , Sanderson , Caufield , Lenahan , Baldwin , Maloney , Sim , Scott , Danil , Thomas , Dale . Gould now providing the entertainment on the sidelines ! Park started dominantly and it wasn't long before they scored . Scott again the try scorer after another bullocking run . Danil adding the extras . 14-19 .
Pollock was forced to retire , Dunn trundled back on . Maloney at 10 was upping the tempo and dictating play . Danil was exploiting holes that were starting to open up as Park stretched their opponents . Winger Sim was unlucky not to score , twice being stopped just short . Eventually a third try would come . A Lineout 35m out from the Billingham line was taken by Langlands , the forwards then simply mauled it all the way to the line much to the delight of the onlooking Park legend Peter Spencer . 21-19 !
Whilst scribbling down a few notes , unfortunately I missed the build up to Parks 4th try . I have been told that the try scorer , Lenahan , ran 50m leaving a trail of defenders in his wake , chipped the full back , catching it on the full and scoring with a flamboyant somersault . I doubt it , do you ?! He's leaving us soon , so I will give him this moment . 28-19 .
Time to unleash the Ssshnairn , 'Mighty' Jo Wilkinson and 'Red Austin' . As one wag in the stand was heard to say ,'hear I wouldn't mind some of their stuff for me leek trench !!' Other changes saw Gilmore return to replace Danil and Gould for Dale . Park achieved maximum bonus points with their 5th try . Maloney nudged a penalty into the corner . The Park forwards wetted their lips in anticipation of another catch and drive , but the throw was too long . But it was well taken by 'Red Austin' who showed good strength to power over his opponent and over the line to score . 33-19 .
There was still time for Billingham to score and bring proceedings to an end . Referee Pearson , awarding a penalty-try and yellow card to Gould , after the Park fullback had batted down a pass to an on-rushing Billingham forward with the line at his mercy .
The Lions have notched up four wins in a row , with Gateshead awaiting next week at Hedley Lawson Park . I'd like to finish with a reply to a text message I'd sent to veteran Dunn asking how he felt the morning after his comeback . 'Can't lift my head or turn it side to side , I think I popped a joint in my finger it's knacking and 3 times it's normal size . I also think I've broken my nose it's killing me and swollen , I got raked on my ankle and that's black and blue and swollen I've pulled my calf also . On top of that I'm sore all over . I think I'm old .'