Tynedale v Billingham
Saturday 14th September 2024 (KO 3pm)
This Saturday we welcome the players, officials and supporters of Billingham for our opening home league match of the 2024-2025 campaign in what is our local derby match.
We also, of course, extend a warm welcome to this week’s match officials, Nathan Howarth, Paul Fincken and Fraser Gill.

BILLINGHAM RUFC’s HISTORY
Billingham RUFC was formed in 1924 as the rugby section of the Synthonia Sports Club of the Synthetic Ammonia and Nitrates Company which later became the Imperial Chemical Industries.

Playing their games at the company’s Central Road sports ground, the new club became very strong in the 1950s and 1960s.

The decline in the fortunes of ICI in the 1970s was reflected in the difficulties of the rugby club which led a nomadic existence before moving to their present Greenwood Avenue ground in 1996. A new clubhouse was built in 2000.

In 1997-98 Billingham became champions of Durham and Northumberland Division Two and in 2007-08 were champions of Division One of that league.
They became champions of North East Division One East in 2009-10, were relegated the following season before bouncing back at the first attempt to become champions again in 2011-12.

Billingham were constant members of National Three North and the new Northern Premier Division until their promotion from Regional One North-East as champions in 2023.

TYNEDALE RFC v BILLINGHAM RUFC
Between Season 1960/61 and 1971/72 Tynedale’s 1st and Second XV's played Billingham each season, alternatively at home then away - often over the New Year period.

The 1stXV’s played each other 12 times in that period. Billingham’s decline in the 1970’s, reflecting the fortunes of ICI, meant fixtures between the two clubs ceased.

After rising up the leagues Billingham were constant members of National Three North and the new Northern Premier Division until their promotion from Regional One North-East as champions in 2023. It was a pleasure to welcome them back and see the rivalry between the two clubs renewed last season.

LAST SEASON - TYNEDALE v BILLINGHAM

9th September 2023 - Billingham 20 Tynedale 17
With five minutes remaining Tynedale were penalised for not rolling away and Sam Heron kicked the penalty. Tynedale had a chance to level in the last minute, but Jake Rodgers was unable to score with a penalty from 30 metres.

16th December 2023 - Tynedale 24 Billingham 12
For Tynedale a try by Louis Frankland, converted by Josh Leslie, and tries by Alex Dryden and Oscar Caudle, plus a penalty try gave the home team the margin to beat Billingham, for whom Louie Groak and Jonny Horner scored tries, with Ryan Foreman kicking a conversion.

THIS SEASON
Last week Tyne suffered a comprehensive 47-5 defeat at the hands of Leeds Tykes although the scoreline probably flattered the Yorkshire side.
Billingham, on the other hand, had a resounding 33-12 home bonus-point victory over newly promoted Harrogate. Tyne will be looking to get their season up and running whilst a Billingham victory would at this early stage of the season see then vying for top spot in the league!

BILLINGHAM WEBSITE
https://www.billinghamrugby.co.uk/

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Nathan Howarth
AR1: Paul Fincken
AR2: Fraser Gill

BALL BOYS
Tynedale Under 12’s

WEATHER FORECAST
Dry, sunny intervals, moderate south-westerly breeze, 17 degrees

OTHER TYNEDALE MATCHES TODAY
Tynedale Raiders v Billingham Lions (3pm) – CaNDY Leagie 1 and Yorks & NE Premiership
Border Park v Tynedale Hadrians (3pm) - Friendly
Alnwick Colts v Tynedale Colts (3pm) – Border League

To be announced