Redcar U17s v Acklam U17s 2nd.Jan.2005
A bright, cold blustery morning, hailed the start of rugby in 2005 at McKinlay Park, where Redcar U17s entertained Acklam U17s looking to avenge a 63-4 beating handed out by the visitors early in the season.
Redcar made a perfect start to 2005 when a long kick off from Liam Rogers forced Acklam in to conceding a line out on their 22. Redcar gained possession from the line out, and, after two strong drives, Liam Rogers ran through the defence to open the scoring with a fine try in the corner.
Stung by this early setback, Acklam worked hard to get themselves back in the match, winning several penalties in dangerous positions, but a combination of strong scrimmaging, tenacious tackling, and quick closing down, by the Redcar defence kept them at bay until the 11th.minute when they scored the equalising try their pressure deserved.
The game continued at a fast and furious pace, with both teams battling for every ball, and treating a fair sized crowd to some entertaining rugby.
After 23 mins. Redcar lost a line out 15 metres out, Acklam capitalising to take the lead with a converted try.
The visitors now had the bit between their teeth, but this Redcar team was showing their character, refusing to give the Acklam backs the opportunity to play the hard running game we know they are capable of, and gradually gaining the upper hand.
With half time approaching, a long clearance from the Redcar 22 led to a line out on the Acklam 15m mark. The Redcar line stole the resulting throw, and following some strong driving, Andrew Wills broke clear to haul his team back in to the match with a well worked try.
Half-Time Redcar 10 v 12 Acklam.
Shortly after the break Dave Hockney had to leave the field injured, to be replaced by Dave Windsor.
In previous matches this season Redcar have tended to go to sleep after the interval, but this was never the case in this gripping encounter. With nothing to choose between the two sides it was going to take a mistake, or something special to separate them. Unfortunately for the home team it was the visitors who struck next, when some excellent running and passing by the backs allowed them to extend their lead with a try 10 mins. in, following a move started on the half way line.
Redcar still refused to concede defeat, but after 23mins. Acklam scored another try to effectively put the game out of Redcars reach.
Final score Redcar 10 v Acklam 22
It was difficult to pick a man of the match after such a display with James Windross once again impressing at Full Back. Mark Ellis and Michael Tucker making powerful surges with the ball, and Andrew Wills again leading by example, but after much deliberation the award was given to Dave Brown, for some solid tackling, good positioning and awareness, and confident handling.
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