Redcar Sunk by Rock

Rockcliff kicked off the penultimate game of the season and it looked like both sides were evenly balanced, with play going one way then the other, both sides making simple errors at crucial times, but after 12 mins the game sprung into life when a Redcar forward drive into the Rockcliff half, saw the ball passed from flyhalf Jake Duddles to flanker Shane Hurley, who cut through the Rockcliff players and ran 40 metres to score a great try, which was converted by Danny Addison, 7 – 0. Just 3 mins later Rockcliff hit back, from a scrum the ball was fed out to No.13 and he ran in a try, near the posts, through some no existent tackling from Redcar, 7 – 7.

Redcar put together some good inter passing from the backs and fullback Rob Bryce just squeezed in, in the corner, the ref who was some distance away from the play, deliberated, then gave the try, Danny Addison converted with a magnificent touchline kick, 14 – 7. The heavens then opened up and the hail came down but thankfully it only was a brief storm. Rockcliff ended the first half with a penalty to bring the score to 14 – 10.

Half Time Redcar 14 Rockcliff 10

Early into the second half, the game swung in Rockcliff’s favour, as Redcar’s 62 year old prop Charlie Challenor left the field and from then on Redcar’s scrum went backwards at almost every occasion, thus limiting Redcar’s possession, but Redcar held out for 35 mins but eventually Rockcliff scored, 14 – 15. Redcar had chances and could have scored and should have scored, when they camped on the Rockcliff try line, they were awarded penalties, but butchered the attempted scoring passes.

Redcar’s front row had more problems as props went off injured, but for some unknown reason, they tried to play on with non front row substitutes, when going uncontested was an option and they paid the price, as in the dying minutes of the game, from a scrum, Rockcliff scored a pushover try.

Final Score Redcar 14 Rockcliff 20.

This was not so much a game of two halves, more a team of two halves, half wanted to play the other half didn’t and it showed. Redcar’s season effectively ended when they lost at Hartlepool, a few weeks ago and since then some players have not been available for one reason or another, (especially away from home), so the team has been disjointed and disheartened. They all need pull together, show some pride and go to Wallsend next week with a positive attitude and finish the season with a win, even if it means condemning Wallsend to relegation.