This weekend Huddersfield host Percy Park, who need maximum points to save themselves at Billingham’s expense
Huddersfield skipper Nick Sharpe has promised Billingham that his side will try to save the Teessiders from relegation.
The shell-shocked captain watched from the sidelines after being sin-binned, as Billingham ran in three tries in the last four minutes at Greenwood Road on Saturday to pick up two crucial bonus points, despite a 34-28 defeat, in their battle to beat the drop.
This weekend Huddersfield host Percy Park, who need maximum points to save themselves at Billingham’s expense.
But Sharpe told the Gazette: “We’ll try to save Billingham. They showed great spirit against us.
“Billingham is an old school club, like ours, and made up of strong characters. They have great support. Towards the end of the game their fly half (Peter Evans) showed quick feet and put us under great pressure.”
Huddersfield will win the National Three North title if they beat Percy Park, so it’s odds on that Billingham can look forward to another season of national league rugby.
Billingham player-coach Chris Hyndman, who aims to be back next season after being sidelined by a knee ligament injury, said: “The night before our game with Huddersfield I saw St Helens come from 28-8 down to beat Tigers in the rugby league, so watching the way we finished felt like deja vu.
“The way we played in the last few minutes is the way we have played throughout games in the past. So there has been frustration this season. I know what these lads are capable of but sometimes they lack a bit of belief.
“But this time they surprised me. I didn’t think they had a comeback like this in them. Towards the end of the game I felt it was a step too far.
“We have a few players who when they play well we win. So there is always pressure on those players, but Peter Evans, who is one of those, delivered.
“The way we played at the end was fantastic. There was some brilliant rugby, with good lines, good off-loads and good support play.
“Players have to take charge of their own game. Leadership is not just about the captain. It is about each player taking the responsibility for performing his role.
“When Huddersfield scored their last try (to go 34-7 ahead), I went on the pitch and told the lads I was not going to say much. I told them to do what they think I would tell them to do - and they did.
“We are a junior club with players still paying their subs. It’s a dream to be playing national league rugby. If Percy Park get the points they need on Saturday, then fair play to them. But Huddersfield coach Ian Shuttleworth was a teammate of mine at Otley, so I hope he does us a favour.”
Skipper Joe Evans added: “In those last few minutes we played better than we had all year. We just needed a spark. Then the adrenaline took over and it felt incredible. We have to play like that more often.
“But the second half of the season has been poor, though we have young lads coming in and will build for next year regardless of what division we are in.”
GUISBOROUGH are in the Durham and North One play-offs for the second successive year, and find out on Saturday whether they will face Dinnington or Ilkley in the promotion showdown.
Guisborough’s Michael McDougall, who scored a try in Saturday’s 69-5 win over Novos, said: “We will be better for the experience of last year’s play-off. It’s a cup final and there is nothing to lose. We played well at Huddersfield YMCA last year, and relish another crack at it.
“On paper we are the same level as Yorkshire One, but we realise that league is a step higher.”
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