Bingham travelled to Matlock having lost Anthony Thomas injured in Wednesday’s league decider but ably covered by Mick Challans coming in at 10.
Hykeham kicked off playing with the wind and early territory to Hykeham. Hykeham failed to turn this into points with 2 early penalties missed. Hykeham then ran back a kick from their own 22 and would have resulted in a score bar a forward pass. A couple of kicks kept Bingham pinned back and it took 20 minutes for Bingham to make their 1st concerted passage of play with the forwards taking the ball on. A couple of kickable penalties declined as the forwards began to get a foothold and from a scrum 20 metres out Dylan Williams picked up and drove forward; with the ball kept alive and recycled Dan Bartram took it over to score. Converted by Tom Packer. Mike O’Brien then made a terrific tackle halting a Hykeham attack but Bingham lost Andrew Gill with a twisted ankle. Gareth McGahan replaced. The final 10 minutes of the half saw Bingham building more pressure and a highlight came just on half time after a clean line out, a 20 m forward drive taking play right into the Hykeham half before getting a penalty which Tom Packer duly converted. Half time, 10 – 0 and Bingham getting on top.
Bingham quickly got going after a penalty pushed them to within 10m. A clean line out ball released Andy Birznieks for the 1st time and held up short. A penalty ensued and Tom Packer rattled the upright but from the rebound the ball found its way to Andy Birznieks who jinked his way under the posts. Converted by Tom Packer 17 – 0. Great linking between Dylan Williams, Tom Packer put Andy Birznieks through and only a last ditch tackle spoiled the attack. Another break from Andy B and a chip through once again put pressure on Hykeham. A stolen Line out and Jonathan Thomas breaks initial defence and offloads to Pete Mount in support to score, converted again by Tom Packer 24 – 0. Changes brought Chris Bell on for Dan Bartram, Jason Churchill for Pete Mount and Chris Mason for Lee Fretwell. An attack from Hykeham was stopped by Tom Spibey who then came away with the ball and kicked clear. Successful drives took Bingham to within 20m and got a penalty slotted by Tom Packer. 3 more changes with Ian Taylor, Chris Spibey & Ben McGill relieving Andy Watts, Jon Thomas and Tom Spibey. A scrum on half way had Dylan Williams linking again with Tom Packer who whilst he had Chris Mason outside, dummied and took on the last man to score. Converting his own score Tom Packer extended the lead to 34 – 0. Andy Birznieks then almost latched onto a kick ahead only for an offside ruling giving Hykeham a penalty on Bingham 22 and from good continuity managed to get a consolation score and conversion with the last play.

Despite not reaching the standards of the last 2 games, Bingham victorious 34 – 7 and a fantastic end to the week and season having secured league title and NLD Vase.

Great celebrations afterwards back at the club as we head to our memorial game and final fun day of the season, past v present on Saturday 14th May

Thanks to all who travelled to support and look forward to further celebrations next week