Redcar U12's hosted the final official county fixture of the season and entertained nine teams from the south of the county. Redcar opened against local rivals Guisborough looking for some payback after losing to them in the County cup at Durham. Redcar dominated the opening period and raced into a two try to nil lead with both Joe and Jacob crossing the line, despite barely getting out of there half, a breakaway on the stroke of half time saw Guisborough pull one back, Half Time Redcar 2 - Guisborough 1. The second half followed the pattern of the first with Redcar dominating, after Eric crossed to increase the advantage Redcar eased off and were punished with a second breakaway try, Final Score Redcar 3 - Guisborough 2.
Next up was a large physical West Hartlepool side and from the start it was clear a couple of Redcar players weren't up for the physical battle that was in the offing. Despite never being totally outmuscled or outplayed, Redcar struggled with the physicality of Wests and at half time found themselves 0 -2 down. With the second half following the pattern of the first Redcar huffed and puffed without ever really threatening the Wests try line, the closest being a break away that was stopped by a high tackle, unfortunately not seen by the referee, Final Score Redcar 0 - West Hartlepool 4.
If Wests had some big players Yarm had a couple of giants, I'm not sure what some clubs are putting in the water but Redcar need to get hold of some of it! Despite their size Redcar more than held their own against Yarm and Alfie crossed for the only try of the half, Half Time Redcar 1 - Yarm 0. The second half started with both teams fairly evenly matched and when Spencer crossed to open the lead further it should have been comfortable for Redcar to see the game out, however a Yarm try gave them some belief and they came on strong, some determined Redcar defence however and a try from Jacob, his second of the festival saw Redcar over the line, Final score Redcar 3 - Yarm 1.
Redcar finished the day against Mowden Park and were determined to finish on a high and keep the run of form from the Yarm game going, in a fairly even first half, a single try from Joe was the difference between the two teams, Half Time Redcar 1 - DMP 0. Redcar have worked on fitness a lot since the start of the season for exactly this situation, 70 minutes played and holding a narrow lead and it all payed off, as legs tired and lungs started to burst, a brace of tries from Eric either side of one from Shay saw Redcar blow DMP away in the final ten minutes. Final Score Redcar 4 - DMP 0.
As always a big well done to the lads who turned up and played today, Charlie, Jack C, Haydon, Kieran, Eli, Eric, Alfie, Joe, Shay, Jacob, Adam, Daniel, Spencer and George.
A big thank you to Neil & Matty for the hours spent training and coaching the lads, all the parents, grandparents brothers and sisters who gave up another Sunday to come and support the lads (only one more to go).
Additional thank you's today to Lisa, Terri, Lyndsey, Barry & Michelle who gave up their Sunday and watching their own chidren play, to feed all the players and keep the drinks and bacon sarnies flowing for all the spectators, to Addo for refereeing, and the physios Dan & Sadie who kept numerous kids patched up and able to play, Caryn & Suzanne for parking the multitude of cars that conveyed the players to the ground and anyone and everyone else who helped out either today or during the week getting the pitches ready and who I have ommitted to mention.