Redcar Rise to the Occasion with Crucial Win Over Yarm

On a bitterly cold afternoon, Redcar and Yarm contested the only DN2 fixture to survive the weather, with the newly laid Valentines all-weather pitch once again proving its worth.

From the opening exchanges, it was clear just how much this contest meant to both sides. Physicality was high and intensity relentless, with Redcar carrying early momentum through their forwards, who made several strong, direct carries to put Yarm under sustained pressure.
That pressure told on 27 minutes. Jacob Howie produced a delightful grubber kick through the defensive line and showed excellent awareness to regather and score. The conversion drifted wide, but Redcar had the breakthrough they deserved at 5–0.
Tensions remained high throughout the half, with handling errors at both ends denying potential tries. Despite opportunities for both sides, the scoreboard remained unchanged as Redcar took a narrow lead into the break.
Half-time: Redcar 5–0 Yarm

The second half saw a noticeable shift in tempo, with both teams settling and a flurry of scores to follow.
On 48 minutes, AJ Clarke burst through the Yarm defence and grounded the ball under the posts. The conversion was added to extend Redcar’s lead to 12–0.

A dominant Redcar scrum became a decisive factor, earning five penalties over the course of the match. One such infringement, directly in front of the posts, allowed Daniel Addison to slot the kick and give Redcar a crucial two-try cushion at 15–0.
With confidence growing, Redcar pressed for more. A loose pass from Yarm’s fly-half was ruthlessly punished as Jacob Howie intercepted and raced in under the posts for his second of the afternoon. Celebrations followed — including an interesting contribution from Brad — as Redcar stretched the lead to 22–0.

Yarm, to their credit, refused to fold. A momentary lapse in Redcar’s backline defence allowed the visitors to shift the ball wide and score, reducing the deficit to 22–7.

Then came another moment of brilliance. In a game notable for intercepts, Daniel Addison read the play superbly, stepping in to pick off a pass from Yarm’s inside centre before charging 60 metres to score — proof that the “Raging Bull” still has plenty left in the tank. Redcar led 27–7.

Yarm remained competitive throughout and were rewarded with another try after sustained pressure near Redcar’s line, crashing over for a deserved score. The conversion was added to make it 27–14.

With five minutes remaining, Yarm pushed hard for a losing bonus point. Deep into the red, they once again pinned Redcar back and managed to cross the whitewash for a late try. The tension was palpable — but the conversion attempt drifted wide, much to the relief of the home supporters.

It was a fiercely contested encounter and a credit to both sides, with Yarm showing tremendous resilience and pressure until the final whistle.
Full-time: Redcar 27–19 Yarm

The hard-fought five-point victory lifts Redcar out of the relegation zone and two points clear of 11th-placed Yarm. If they can consistently show the heart, intensity, and resilience displayed here, there is every reason to believe brighter days lie ahead.
A huge thank you to everyone who braved the conditions to support the lads — they certainly gave you plenty to cheer about.