It was labelled as Billericay's biggest ever game - and a performance to match that billing earned them the greatest reward amateur rugby can offer.

A date at Twickenham, England's legendary home, awaits the runaway Eastern Counties Two champions after their all-round verve, unshakeable spirit and flashes of truly memorable defending deservedly saw off power-packed Scarborough.

Winger Andy Collings' smart breakaway try, a 40-yard surge to the left corner after he stole Scarborough's quickly-taken short throw in the 32nd minute, gave Billericay a first-half edge, up-slope, gained by true grit.

They mostly dictated the lineouts - particularly through the high-leaping Richard Holdgate - but well-supported Scarborough had sent shudders in the 800-plus crowd by rocking the hosts back in the early scrums.

Then, outstanding covering twice kept the North Yorkshire League Division Two winners out just before the interval.

However, Kevin Harman's penalty soon into the second period, and moments after he went close with a drop-goal attempt, underlined Billericay's resurgence.

Scarborough, though, responded by driving forward with the fiercest spell of an absorbing Tetley's Bitter Vase semi-final, and Grant Lenton's two penalties left them just 8-6 behind.

Yet Andy White's rousing, rhino-like charge nearly produced a try - and gave Billericay, who matched Scarborough in the scrums after the interval, all the impetus they needed.

Harman's majestic penalty from the left was followed by Glen Smith slipping in elusive winger Mike Coxford for a storming, match-sealing, 20-yard streak to the right corner.

Harman converted - but locks Holdgate and Steve Clow, plus tireless flanker Martin Green, were other heroes in a display that suggested Billericay will soon be in the London League.

Coming through - Billericay Rugby Club (yellow and black shirts) beat Scarborough 18-6 to secure their birth in the Tetley's Bitter Vase final on Saturday.

The triumphant team will now step out at Twickenham - the home of English rugby - on April 17 to take on Old Silhillians

Picture: MAXINE CLARKE Manager plans for final

Ecstatic Billericay manager Gary Smith today began the club's master-plan to turn the Tetley's Vase Final into one of the town's greatest ever celebrations of sport.

Billericay face Old Silhillians in the Twickenham showdown on April 17 and Smith said: "It's absolutely brilliant, and we'll prepare well.

"We will have them watched - like our other opponents so far - and it will be nice to get all the town behind us, including fans from other sports."

He added: "We were over the moon to be 5-0 up at half-time on Saturday up-slope, and our defending typified a season where we have averaged just three points against in league games.

"But every department of the team was excellent."

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