A tough test taken on in arranging a friendly this week and an opportunity to get a good benchmark on recent progress as Bingham took on Southwell 2nds after losing early season to Southwell 3rds.

Early signs looked ominous as slick Southwell backs seized on early opportunities and Bingham errors gaining 3 quick scores to get a 0 -21 lead after 15 minutes.

Bingham fought back maintaining parity of possession and territory but succumbed to two further scores as Southwell exploited space in the backs 0 - 31 and 15 minutes still to go to half time

Southwell certainly looked up to turn the screw but Bingham then began to play a tighter game but with Will Packer making good tactical kicks.

The Bingham scrum and lineout rose to the challenge and found momentum allowing very little front foot ball for Southwell and now closing down the backs quickly.

A kick to the corner, the lineout won & the pack drove forward. After recycling, Will Packer took up a position blind to create a 2:1 and takes the short cut to line himself. 5 - 31

Further Bingham pressure and Jonathan Thomas breaks from a maul 15m out pops to Will Packer who runs line to break through & bounced the last line of defence to get his & the teams 2nd. Converted by Anthony Thomas & half time comes 12 - 31

Southwell start the scoring in the 2nd half with a converted try but Bingham maintain focus getting back into the game and beginning to get under the skin of the Southwell Team after the ever youthful Dave Fairchild manages to get the ball and roll out of a maul over the line to score. This score being the culmination of period of a period of controlled play, some excellent line outs, solid scrums with Anthony & Jonathan Thomas controlling plays and being a constant thorn. 19 - 38

Southwell eventually manage to work an opening wide to extend the lead to 19 - 43

Bingham manage the final 10 minutes well continuing to work the ball up field with Jonathan Thomas capping a great game with a score 24 - 43.

What was always going to be a tough game was made almost impossible after conceding 5 unanswered tries but great team spirit shone through more than matching and rattling the team from the league above for more than 50 minutes.