Winlaton Vulcans Stick To Their Task As Redcar Fight Back

Redcar hoped for another win after last week’s victory at Houghton, but it was not to be.

Redcar kicked off an a dark and damp afternoon with the wind behind them, but Winlaton were soon on the attack and Redcar had to defend against wave after wave driving play from Winlaton’s big forwards and after 7 mins the defence was breeched and Winlaton scored, 0 – 7.

The contrast between the two sides was clearly evident, Winlaton used their bigger players to pick and drive and try to barge through Redcar’s defence, where as Redcar opted for quick play of the ball, tap and go, which would have been effective, if the ref had been more alert to Winlaton stopping them by fair means or foul. Redcar lost playmaker Josh Dixon to injury and he was replaced by young Joe Cooke. On 30 mins Redcar’s livewire centre Matty Curry, broke through the Winlaton defence and thought he had scored in the top corner, only for the ref (who was a mile away), to rule it no try due to a double movement and gave Winlaton a penalty, I was very close and so was our photographer Roger and it was a try, even the Winlaton coaches shook their heads in disbelief, to rub salt into Redcar’s wounds, from the penalty, Winlaton kicked and had a lineout and then drove downfield and scored, 0 – 14. On 36 mins Winlaton scored their 3rd try, 0 – 19. Redcar did have some joy, on the stroke of halftime, hard working Redcar No.8, Dominic Ayre scored a most deserved try.

Half Time Redcar 5 Winlaton Vulcans 19

Winlaton restarted the game and after 6 mins Winlaton’s No.8 received a yellow card for the team’s persistent infringements. Redcar played some good attacking rugby and on 53 mins flyhalf Kieran Mcmahon scored, 10 – 19. It was getting too close for comfort for Winlaton, so on 57 mins they kicked a penalty, 10 – 22. Then on 64 mins they missed a penalty kick. Two mins later they scored a converted try to ease them away from Redcar, 10 – 29. They received another yellow on 68 mins just before Redcar scored the best try of the game when from a great forward drive Redcar’s Kieran Mc pass kicked the ball and Matty Curry caught it and ran in under the posts, Joe Cooke converted, 17 – 29. As Redcar went all out in the final few mins Winlaton receive yet another yellow card, though the game was all but over.

Final Score Redcar 17 Winlaton 29