Redcar All At Sea At Home To Gateshead

Gateshead kicked off on a chilly but bright day at Mackinlay Park, with the slight wind blowing across the pitch towards the stand. Redcar started brightly enough and after 8 mins, speedy winger Luke Watson sped up the wing to score in the corner, 5 – 0. On 12 mins Gateshead kicked their first (of many) penalties, 5 – 3. Redcar’s other winger, Michael ‘Sharkey’ Hammond was next on the scoreboard when some good flowing backs passing gave him some space and he rounded the meagre defence to score in the opposite corner, 10 – 3. Redcar flanker Jacob Unwin was given a yellow card on 17 mins and then Redcar’s ship seemed to loose it’s momentum, basic errors gifted Gateshead the advantage and for the rest of the half they took it and scored two tries, one conversion and a penalty. As half time approached Gateshead’s No.5 received a yellow card for a high tackle.

Half Time Redcar 10 Gateshead 18.

The game resumed and Redcar again were first to respond, after only 3 mins played Redcar’s young forwards drove towards the Gateshead line and then the ball was passed out across the backs and winger Luke Watson dotted the ball down for his 2nd try, 15 – 18. Gateshead scored next with an unconverted try to increase their lead, 15 – 23. On 55 mins the ref struck again giving a yellow to Gateshead No.14, then on 66 mins Gateshead scored another try, 15 – 30, on 71 mins they missed a penalty kick, then a min later the kicked a penalty, 15 – 33. On 75 mins centre Brad Smith got a yellow car and Gateshead kicked another penalty, 15 – 36. The ref was very sharp on the offside law and penalised both teams constantly, hence the number of penalties and cards. Redcar pressed hard in the final few mins and Gateshead defended ferociously determined to keep Redcar pointless, but after a flurry of charges at the Gateshead line by Redcar’s pack, which was finished off by hooker Jack Cook who squeezed over and scored a bonus point try.

Final Score Redcar 20 Gateshead 36

For most of the game Redcar seemed out of sorts and uncharacteristically lost, but they were beaten by the better side, they battled on till the bitter end and were rewarded with a try bonus point, which was well deserved. Redcar’s young forwards played well, considering some of them have just stepped up to senior rugby.