Billingham travelled to Headlands road and completely out played the champions Stockport, scoring 4 tries and winning 26-12 but they will probably still be relegated. This was only Stockport’s second defeat of the season and it was clear which side was most determined to win. Stockport’s usually well organised defence allowed the Billingham backs freedom to run and all their 4 tries were well created and well taken.
There was little decisive action in the first 30 minutes but Stockport narrowly failed to score when the referee judged that Dave Marwick had not grounded the ball on or over the line. Billinham scored first, with their centre running through a gap to get a score under the posts. Marwick then did score, twisting over from a lineout and drive and with Jonny Edwards converting it was 7-7 at half time.
Stockport lost second row Paul Ralph off with an injured knee, he was replaced by Kieran Hibbs. Stockport were denied a try when hooker Tom Cruse was unable to ground the ball after he created a chance with an individual effort, chipping and then hacking on to beat the full back for what looked like a certain score. Perhaps this and the sin binning of full back George Cook was the turning point but from here on Billingham became dominant scoring two more converted tries. Stockport did score a try a try by Number 8 Jordan Pearson on 63 minutes to make it 12-21 but it was Billingham who had the final word with an unconverted try.
The last game of the season is at home on 30 April against 3rd from bottom side Middlesbourough, the only other team to have beaten Stockport this season.