Rovers 3rds progressed to the semi final of the Tees Valley Cup with an initially stuttering but eventually convincing 49-7 victory over a battling Redcar Mariners team

We did well to get a team out with some late withdrwals such as the charismatic Buck Connor having a pacemaker fitted and Danny Cookland regretting the excesses of the night before and having to withdraw after spewing up on arrival at Redcar. Even a refreshing pint failed to revive him and we had to pinch Michael Tucker back from his plan to turn out for his home town club. We were bolstered though by Kev Stephenson (of whom more later) agreeing to play and the unexpected availability of Milky due to him to deciding to follow a new career path.

Rovers had first use of the usual conditions at Redcar ie a strong and pretty cold wind. Little went right for us initially until Milky made a try for himself by following up his own kick and his persistence meant he gained the race to touch down. Ste Railton missed the kick but we led 5-0. Redcar were making a competitive game of it at the breakdown and their scrum half went in between the posts from a ruck which then kicked off a little melee. Kev Stephenson saw a large forward running to join this melee and did the diplomatic thing of simply holding him at first. Then something snapped and Kev walloped the Redcar lad right in front of the ref who yellow carded him and awarded a penalty to Redcar on the half way line after the successful conversion. So we were losing 7-5 and had a man down. Just before the end of Kev's 10 minutes though we gained a numerical superiority when Redcar had first one then two players yellow carded for killing the ball. Unfortunately while we had enough possession we were unable to turn this into points with first AJ passing over Bubbles' head with the line at his mercy and then Tucker being over the line twice but the ref ruled on both occasions he was on his back and couldn't roll over. Eventually Ste Railton did find his way to the line for a try he converted his himself to put us 12-7 up and that is how it ended at half time.

At the half time talk we all agreed that the display thus far wasn't good enough and resolved to put it right. Pretty soon we put those words into deeds and Oli Dakers won a scrum against the head and AJ received the ball flat and beat several defenders for a lovely try. Then Tony Ross celebrated his birthday with a trademark charge to the line for a try himself. Hoggy made a good break and found Ste Railton in support who backed himself to run half the length of the field for a try. Kev Stephenson hit the post with the conversion but at that point we were 27-7 ahead. A position improved when Danny Charters scored a lovely solo try with a 60 metre gallop to the line. Ste Flounders scored for the second week in a row after receiving the ball from Kev Stephenson on the opposition 10 metre line, as Kev had ran out of opposition players to hand off, and Ste ran strongly to beat the remaining defenders. The next try was our best with several of the team taking the ball on before Danny expertly drew the last defender for Hoggy to go over. Kev Stephenson scored the final try after a AJ made a break from in his 22 and Danny again was the provider of the pass to put Kev in for a try that he converted himself for a full time score of 49-7.

As referred to earlier our first half performance was shite but in the second half we were much improved. A mobile pack and speedy backs enabled us run a tiring but game Redcar side around and we increasingly took the right rugby decisions. Individually Tony Ross had a prominent game and constantly offered himself for the crash ball and fully deserved his birthday try. We are very glad Tucker was playing for and not against us. Paddy O Callaghan did well again winning good ball in the lineout and getting stuck in around the park. Milky ran the game for us in the second half by varying our tactics and always keeping Redcar on the back foot. AJ might not fully like his recent enforced transition to stand off but he had a good game and is perfectly capable of playing there regularly. Ste Flounders showed enough to be able to say he will go on to play for the 1st XV if he keeps learning and developing. We were very grateful to Kev Stephenson for making himself available - despite the leg pulling. He offered us total commitment in defence and attack. I just wish he had told us he can kick for goal earlier. Safe journey to Ghana mate. I hope we are in the final for you to play on your return. Man of the match was Danny Charters who was great at running through and round defenders and showed an ability to beat the opposition by a well timed pass that was better than any of the England centres today. Combining his athletic talent with a hard working attitude Danny really impressed. Finally Ste Saunders marches on as undefeated in his tenure as captain!

This victory puts us forward to meet Guisborough 2nds away in the semi finals on either 21st or 28th March. Coincidentally we are due to play Guisborough next week at home in the league. Both games promise to be very tough. Guisborough are undefeated so far this season in the league and the only reason they are not top is because they have not managed to fit enough games in. If we can play like we did in the second half though we will have a chance.