Following a cricket score result the week before with a glut of tries at home, the RAIDERS game away at Billingham was always set to be a much sterner test. In fact, Billingham could lay claim to being the only side to do the double over Tynedale Raiders the previous season.
On a scorcher of a late September afternoon on Billingham's wide 4G pitch, the game was set to be open and fast-paced and so it proved.

The game kicked off with the Billingham Lions playing with the elements, a moderate breeze and glaring sun, slightly behind them. Indeed, for the opening 20 minutes of the game it was all Billingham with the Raiders side struggling to contain a large and hard running team. Billingham kicked a simple penalty after 6 minutes following a scrum infringement and then extended their lead to 8 points on 16 minutes when their excellent number 8 made good yards from a pick up at the scrum base and bundled his way over.

From the ensuing kick-off the young Raider side began to assert pressure in the Billingham half for the first time in the match and after an excellent touch-finder from Cam Grant, a lineout catch and drive was well set up and the industrious Anthony Harvey claimed the score from beneath a pile of bodies. The Raiders then hit a purple spell in the match and some great interplay from both backs and forwards allowed influential skipper Finlay MaGowan to dart over, with the extras added by Grant, the Raiders now led 12-8 after half an hour played.

John Clarkson then made a scything break down the right hand side from a ruck base and the ball was recycled well in the Billingham 22 with a series of close driving plays before the ball being spun wide for Adam Todhunter to slide in for another score converted by Grant on 36 minutes.

Billingham responded with some strong interplay of their own and the Raiders were reduced to 14 men near to the end of the half following a string of conceded penalties. The extra man told and Billingham moved the ball through their backline for their outside centre to crash over for an unconverted score. Half time 19-13 to Raiders.

The second half was an altogether much tighter affair with both sides feeling the effects of the heat and a number of unforced errors creeping in.
Cam Grant did however pick a superb line to cut through under the posts for the bonus point try that he converted himself to extend the lead after 6 minutes of play.

The young Raiders side continued to try and play from all areas of the field and will need to learn key lessons in game management as they crucially turned ball over in their own half and Billingham took advantage to score a converted try with 10 minutes of the match remaining and the score at 26-20.

The remaining minutes of the match saw a spirited Billingham team go all out for the crucial score but some telling hits and defensive commitment ensured that the Raiders wouldn’t be denied a good win. Both sides played expansive and entertaining rugby in what was a really evenly contested match.

The Raiders now look forward to playing at home next week to Harrogate in the Northern Pilot league opener after a Tuesday night friendly at home to Durham University.