A DIFFICULT afternoon saw Kirkby Lonsdale fail to get to grips with hosts and North Premier leaders Billingham’s artificial pitch and they slumped to a 57-0 defeat on Saturday.

There is no doubt that the pace, feel and bounce of an artificial pitch is different to grass and it should be noted that in recent seasons Kirkby have won two out of the three return fixtures.

But a side showing six changes from the squad that beat Wirral last week was further weakened by the loss of hooker Dan Armistead, second row James Thompson and centre Jack Ward, all key men, in the first period, and that eventually took its toll.

Kirkby have now used 37 players in eight first team games and there was some talk of fitting a revolving door to the dressing room.

They finished up with an U21 front row, but they manned up wonderfully and stood their ground, though they could not contain the home pack in the set piece.

Billingham played off the front foot most of the day and their classy stand off Peter Evans had plenty of opportunity to orchestrate his sides performance with deft chips to each wing or a wide spin pass to let his backs loose.

In the end Billingham ran in nine tries without reply to consolidate their place at the top and Kirkby headed home with things to ponder.

They remain in a lower mid table position and have a two week break before they host Rossendale.