Redcar travelled along the A66 for what has now become our annual end of season pilgrimage to the Darlington festival. In the four seasons that this team have been attending, one of the talking points has always been the weather, from a heatwave the first time, to last season when snorkels and flippers would have been more appropriate attire than boots, this season whilst somewhat cool and damp at times, the pitches were at least in good shape.
For the opening fixture we were drawn against Darlington Mowden Park a team we had played only once in the last four seasons, and now found ourselves up against for the second time in a week, and the third time in two months, as notoriously slow starters at festivals and cup competitions this had the potential to be a real banana skin for the team, however Redcar were quick out of the blocks and threatened very early on to overwhelm DMP, and when Eric powered over early in the game, a repeat of last weeks 4-0 win looked like it was on the cards, however, DMP dug deep and once again, with Redcar's final ball sometimes going astray a single try was enough to decide the outcome, Full Time DMP 0 - Redcar 1.
Up next were Novocastrians, having played this team in each of the last three seasons at this festival, Redcar knew it would be a hard day at the office, indeed when Novo's scored straight from kick off things didn't look too good. This Redcar team though are nothing if not resiliant and started to give as good as they were getting without ever really threating the Novo's try line, an unfortunate mistake in the Redcar try area lead to a second Novos try on the stroke of half time. Half Time Novocastrians 2 - Redcar 0. This was the proverbial game of two half's and Redcar dominated the second, and when Buster went over in the corner it appeared to rock Novo's confidence whilst giving Redcar a massive lift, unfortunately, some superb last ditch defending by Novo's denied Redcar the opportunity to level the scores and earn what would have been a very deserved draw. Full Time Novocastrians 2 - Redcar 1.
Next up was the team of giants that is Blaydon, but with Redcar out for some payback after a narrow loss to them in the county cup and playing well, it was Redcar who had the better of the early exchanges forcing Blaydon back, unfortunately in an effort to compete against Blaydons size, Redcar were guilty of being caught offside repeatedly and so were unable to capitalize, a situation made worse when Blaydon broke away and scored the opening try. Half Time Blaydon 1 - Redcar 0. The second half saw Redcar continue to push Blaydon back and pen them in their own 22 where Blaydon's dogged resistance looked likely to deny Redcar, however Shay finally managed to cross late in the game for a fully deserved and earned equaliser. Full Time Blaydon 1 - Redcar 1.
The final game of the 2015-2016 season saw us take on local rivals Guisborough, a team who have improved a lot this season and who have beaten us on two occasions. Redcar were determined to go out on a high, and played as they had all tournament with some superb running passing rugby which Guisborough had no answer too, with Joe and Buster both crossing. Half Time Guisborough 0 - Redcar 2. The second half saw Redcar ease off the gas and try to walk tries home, this came back to haunt them as Guisborough ran in two tries of their own to tie up the scores, this seemed to wake Redcar up and Joe crossed for his second and Redcar's third of the match, back came Guisborough to equalize again. With the referee signalling that the restart would be the last play, Redcar elected to receive and needed to keep the ball alive if they had any hope of winning the game, which is exactly what they did and when Jacob sniped over in the corner for the winning try, Redcar's 2015-2016 season ended with a deserved victory. Full Time Guisborough 3 - Redcar 4.
A massive thank you to the lads who turned up and represented Redcar today, Charlie, Jack C, Haydon, Eli, Erik, Kieren, Alfie, Buster, Joe, Shay, Daniel, Jacob, Adam, George & Spencer, and those who couldn't be there, but who have all played their part over what has been a fantastic season with some absolutely superb Rugby from a great bunch of lads.
As always, massive massive thank you's to Neil & Matty, all the parents, grandparents and carer's, all the brothers, sisters and everyone else who gives up their free time twice a week to get this great bunch of lads to training and fixtures, without all of whom we wouldn't have the fantastic team that we do, give yourselves a pat on the back for all that you have done this season both on and off the pitch.
Don't forget, presentation day Sunday 22nd May, I'll confirm times as soon as possible, and registration day Saturday 18th June, again times tbc.