Lions unable to top Billingham

Saturday 21st January 2017 , Percy Park Lions travelled to Billingham in a top of the table clash . Frustratingly , the Lions only travelled with 15 players in a potentially season defining game . Similarly , in December , the Lions travelled to Alnwick , when sitting top of the Candy League , with only 15 players . Were they to fair better than they had then ? 
Despite being short in numbers , the assembled side was full of quality and experience and they departed Preston Avenue in good spirits despite the dropping temperature , hoping their opponents wouldn't do a Novos (let's see if the journalistic gestapo keep that dig at last weeks events in ?) !!
Wilkinson(Mighty Jo) , Kidd , Sssssssshhhhnairn , Hedley , Saint , Sanderson , Hennessy(hopefully related to the brandy maker as I could do with a wee drop to pop in my hip flask on cold days like this one ), Lake (not the member of the 70's rock band) , Kay(brother of Steve but not son of Danny), Thorpe (Freddie brother of Harry but no relation of Gary), Caulfield(sponsored by the Ahar !)Jobson(son of Gandalf), Wilson(son of one punch), Gilmore (him of poppy eyes and skinny calfs), Baldwin ( property of Beth).
For those who have travelled to Billingham before , (but decided against it today !)Park attacked towards the clubhouse where there travelling supporters , i.e. Birkett and Williamson , sought protection from the biting cold . The opening exchanges saw Billingham dominance . As is the norm , Park were slow out of the blocks . Billingham weren't , they play a very attractive brand of rugby , if they click they tare you apart , but if they don't and you stick with it and are disciplined , they can tire a little and give you a glimmer of hope . That's exactly what happened . With Billingham leading 5-0 , Park had a scrum near their own 22 . Parks backs put the ball through the hands to wing Caulfield (sponsored by the Ahar) , who found space with his opposite man sitting back expecting a clearance kick . Caulfield (sponsored by the Ahar) sped off down the left wing up to the Billingham 10m , there he was tackled by his opposite man and full-back , but he managed to offload to the supporting Wilson who was able to score unchallenged under the posts . Thorpe knocking over the extras . Unbelievably Park led 5-7 at HT . 
Knowing that they had done well , Park were in good spirits during the interval and knew they would need to stay disciplined and focused for the early stages of the second half and look to pressure the home side as the half progressed . Unfortunately , that's not how it played out . Dropping the restart , then giving away a penalty , saw Billingham with an attacking linout on the Park 22 . Three phases later , hesitant defence 5m out , and Billingham score . 12-5 . Worse was to follow . Desperate defence by Park kept the home side out on the line , however the referee penalised prop Wilkinson for not rolling away . For those of you that know Mighty Jo , once he's on his back , he ain't gonna move very quickly , so off he went to rest for ten minutes . Down to 14 men , Billingham opted for the scrum , but didn't get the edge they hoped for as the scrum went uncontested !! Increased effort in defence kept Billingham out , however , a shrill blow of the whistle and it sounded like Park were in trouble . Indeed they were , centre Wilson was called over to receive Parks second yellow in 30 seconds for an infringement at the breakdown . Harsh very harsh  , possibly probably technically correct on both , but this is a second team game , a good game as well , played in good spirit , I think one yellow would have sufficed . The inevitable happened and Billingham scored 19-7 . 
I've known these lads for a few years now . In situations like this , they pull together . Frustratingly they need something like this to happen . For the remainder of the sin-binnings Park kept control of the ball . Then , when restored to 15 , looked to push on and see what they could get ! Wilson , scored his second . A poor clearance kick was taken by Baldwin centre midfield just inside his own half . Cheered on by girlfriend Rowland , on the touchline , the 'Cipriani' lookalikey sped through a gap through a tackle then drew the fullback and put the supporting centre in under the posts . 19-14 . Game on !! 
Unfortunately Park , having got right back into the game , gave the initiative back to their opponents . The restart was dropped again , advantage played , several phases , then a speculative kick into the Park 22 . The threat seemed covered as Kay slid down to tidy everything up . However the ball some how  bounced up and over him , the ball was volleyed on by Billingham then collected neatly on the bounce and they were in . Unbelievable Jeff , I think that's when you know it's not going to be your day . 26-14 . 
Back came the boys in black . Billingham reduced to 14 . From a scrum Park attacked left . Wilson using Jobson's inside run to feed Caulfield (sponsored by the Ahar) . The young winger chipped ahead and set off after it . Despite being pushed wider by a blatant check , Caulfield (sponsored by the Ahar) won the race to the ball and in the process of picking up the ball and diving over the line , knocked on ! Should be sponsored by ? Suggestions on a postcard to ........
Undeterred , Park worked their way to the Billingham line . They were literally throwing the kitchen sink , but fair play to Billingham they were equally throwing themselves into the tackle . With the backs screaming for the ball , Park persisted in hammering at the line through the forwards . It was a time for use of the top two inches , had they done so the Lions would've undoubtedly scored , however they didn't and though I admired their undoubted efforts , the final whistle brought something of a disappointment with only two points to show for their efforts . Billingham were worthy winners , Park deserved another score and had they done so would've been rewarded with a couple more points . 26-14 FT . 
Billingham now sit top , clear by 23 points . Alnwick lie in third three points behind Park . Both have played a game extra . Gateshead await on Saturday , I'm praying for a good training session and a good squad .