Redcar travelled to Durham for the County Cup and with the new age grade regulations taking effect next season, the last chance for some silverware for a couple of years. Drawn in a group that was tough but which had opponents that Redcar have previously beaten there was cause for some optimism in the camp.
First up were local rivals Guisbrough, Redcar dominated both territory & possession but were unable to convert either into a try, unfortunately the lack of a score would prove costly as Guisbrough sucker punched and went over with almost the last play of the match. Final Score Redcar 0 - Guisbrough 1.
Next up were hosts Durham, certainly amongst the best sides in the County, aside from one early foray, Redcar struggled to get out of their half and were given a lesson in how to be clinical and convert possession into tries. Half Time Durham 4 - Redcar 0. A better second half saw Redcar give as good as they got and drew the half 2 - 2 with scores from Eric & Joe, Final Score Durham 6 - Redcar 2.
Up next was a team we had never previously met in Consett, being a much larger side it wasn't hard to guess at what their tactics would be, however what Redcar lack in size they make up for with tenacity and few teams are able to run over them. Despite Consett being first on the scoresheet, Redcar would score the next 4 tries with a hat trick for Buster and one for Joe. Consett were able to score a second before the end of the match but that was as close as they got again to Redcar, Final Score Redcar 4 - Consett 2.
Match four saw Redcar face Middlesbrough, like the game against Guisbrough, Redcar totally dominated possession and territory, unlike that game this time they were able to convert both into scores with Joe scoring twice, Half Time Middlesbrough 0 - Redcar 2. Unfortunately, everything that was good about the first half vanished in the second, and from a comfortable position Redcar gifted Middlesbrough two tries, despite some late pressure Redcar were unable to re-establish a lead, Full Time Middlesbrough 2 - Redcar 2.
Last fixture of the day saw Redcar play the team of giants that is Blaydon, unfortunately, instead of playing to our strengths and pulling Blaydon from one side of the pitch to the other with a running, passing game that we do well at and which worked so effectively against Consett, we decided to try and play to their strengths by taking the ball into contact and trying to win the ruck. Despite this Buster crossed for the only score of the first half, Half Time Redcar 1 - Blaydon 0. As the team insisted on playing to Blaydons strengths instead of their own the next score was always going to be important, unfortunately it went Blaydons way, this seemed to totally deflate the team and as the constant defensive work started to take its toll Redcar were relentlessly pushed back towards their own try line, eventually the pressure told and Blaydon crashed over for a second, Final score Redcar 1 - Blaydon 2.
Today was a matter of what could have been, with the exception of the first half against Durham, Redcar were never outclassed, rather some poor decision making and non existent tackling at times lead to losses and draws in games that were there to be won, second place in the group and a chance to play for silverware was probably more achievable today than at any point previously and the disappointment was evident amongst several players who had left everything on the pitch.
Well done to all the players who turned up today, Charlie, Jack C, Haydon, Eric, Jack S, George, Kieran, Alfie, Joe, Shay, Daniel, Jacob, Adam, Buster and Spencer.
As always a massive thank you to Neil and Matty who give up their time to coach the team and all the parents, brothers and sisters who made the trek up to Durham today and who also give up their free time and weekends to transport and support the lads.