Redcar kicked off with a slight wind behind them, but Gateshead soon got in their stride and after 5 mins they scored, 0 – 5. For the next 30 mins they ran in 4 more tries, 2 of them were converted to take the score to 0 – 29. On 35 mins Redcar finally got a little reward when a loose kick from Gateshead was caught near the half way by Redcar and was quickly fed across the backs and winger Ryan Edwards avoided the covering defence to score, fly half Lee Collins converted, 7 – 29. Gateshead scored again just before half time.

Half Time Redcar 7 Gateshead 36.

Gateshead restarted the game and continued scoring tries on 43, 45 and 55 mins, 7 – 53. On 57 mins from a good break by fullback Luke Watson and some good driving by the forwards and running by the backs, the ball reached Redcar’s captain James Toward who was playing centre then prop, then wherever it seemed and he broke a tackle and scored, Lee Collins again converted, 14 – 53. On 66 mins a Redcar player got a yellow card, I think for accumulative penalties, Gateshead scored from the awarded penalty and in quick succession scored again, 14 – 65. But Redcar never gave up and had the last word with a well deserved try from Luke Watson who had put in some great tackles in defence.
Full Time Redcar 19 Gateshead 65.
A much improved performance from last week, although you wouldn’t think so from the scoreline, Redcar were always going to struggle against a strong team who were second from top and had only lost twice this season. Redcar played well, tackled well and came out of the game with a lot of credit. Their heads never dropped and they never gave up. Well done lads.