It’s been 7 years since we last played Rovers in the league, way back in 2017 when the scores were Redcar 21 Hartlepool Rovers 8, at Redcar and Hartlepool Rovers 41 Redcar 19, away at Rovers. There’s been a lot of changes to the team since then, but 5 of those players played again today and most of today’s team were playing junior rugby back then.
Rovers kicked off with the wind behind them and it didn’t take them long to get the scoreboard ticking over, they scored after only 5 mins, 0 - 7 and again 3 mins later, 0 - 14 and again on 12 mins, 0 - 19. It was looking like being a tough afternoon for Redcar’s young squad. Redcar did strike back on 16 mins, after some good driving play from Redcar’s forwards with a try from flanker Brad Smith and a conversion from winger Danny Addison, 7 - 19. Rovers were using the wind to their advantage and kept Redcar pinned back in their 22 and they increased their lead with two more tries, on 20 and 30 mins, 7 - 31. Redcar scored another converted try just before half time.

Half time Redcar 14 Hartlepool Rover 31

Redcar restated the game with the wind which had got a bit stronger and using that advantage they pressed the Rovers line with some good driving play and were rewarded 5 mins later when winger Danny Addison scored, 19 - 31. Rovers rallied and on 52 mins scored, 19 - 38 and again on 60 mins, 19 - 43. Redcar were giving away too many penalties and the ref. finally lost patience and showed the yellow card to prop Matty Regan, this did not help Redcar’s cause as they were under pressure in the scrums anyway. Just a few mins later Rovers scored a controversial try, the ball was lost over the try line, the ref said he didn’t see it, but would give Rovers “the benefit of the doubt” and awarded the try, this caused Brad Smith to show his disapproval and so the ref. gave him a yellow card, Rovers converted the try, 19 - 50. Redcar battled on and flanker Caleb Kasonali scored their 4th try on the stroke of full time.

Full Time Redcar 24 Hartlepool Rover 50.