Match Preview

Barring any unexpected developments over the Summer, this will be the 1575th and last game for the First XV at Mint Bridge

After the last home game against Sandal, we were looking for a top half finish, but after the disappointment of the last two weekend’s defeats against teams below us in the table, that is now beyond us. Whilst Lymm, who finish the season against two of the teams fighting to avoid relegation, are looking to catch us for 7th position, with the gap 8 league points and 72 points difference. So a win this weekend is important for many reasons.

It is not going to an easy task. Billingham hold the sixth place we wanted, and have a real chance of getting fourth, as they sit just one point behind Wirral who are currently there. Wirral face Rossendale on the final weekend (who despite recent close squeaks still have only lost once since the second week of the season), whilst the other team in contention, Sandal, have an even tougher task in facing Huddersfield a week on Saturday.

Since we last met (when the team did very well to pick up a late bonus point), Billingham have only lost to the five teams above them, and have lost only twice in the last seven games, both times by a single point (one to Rossendale). Last weekend they scored 41 points against a Doncaster team who had defeated us a week earlier.

So the team will have to be at their very best if we are going to get the send off for the old ground we all hope for - Win number 1086.

TEAM : Duncan Green and Will Montgomery return, with Will Montgomery moving to the bench.
The back division is re-organised due to the loss of Kris Bratton. Dini Noyo swaps wings, Zane Butler moves to the right wing, and Damian Armstrong into the centre, with Mark Carruthers coming off the bench as fullback, Nathan Wooff comes onto the bench, joining Josh Coyle.

WEATHER : Cloudly, dry but not very warm - could be sunny for the second half.

THE FUTURE :