B.B.O.B. Jones Wilson R. Frank Bulley Griffiths Gorman Arnell
Andrew Egglestone Hilton Craggs Groom Walker
Fletcher Davies Anthony Egglestone
J. Hetherington Phil Robinson Pete Robinson Robson Smith

With five tries each, Brigade and Redcar produced a competetive and entertaining match at the Old Friarage with a close and dramatic conclusion. Brigade expected a challenging encounter, baring in mind Redcar First XV's win last week against Rovers, and the game lived up to all expectations.
Within five minutes of the start Anthony Egglestone drove over following a number of forward offensives with Gorman adding the conversion. Redcar were quick to respond, with a period of well developed three-quarter moves testing Brigade's defence and earning two converted tries. Gorman reduced the arrears with a penalty before a high attacking kick bounced awkwardly for the stretched Brigade defence and the alert Redcar player gained the touchdown. The conversion extened the visitors lead to eleven points.
It was now Brigade's turn to dominate and gain the lead by half-time. The driving forward play of Hilton, Davies and the Egglestone brothers created numerous opportunities for Arnell to serve his threes and Gorman was ever eager to take on the Redcar defence. Jack Fletcher grounded the ball after a further forward surge with Gorman adding the conversion. Brigade's burly stand-off then took matters into his own hands, the Redcar defence being unable to stop his twenty metre burst for the converted try and a resumption of the lead. Redcar responded with a penalty to level the scores at twenty four each. The half, however, did not conclude until Brigade once again asserted themselves in the forward exchanges and Jack Walker went over for Gorman to convert.
H-T 31 – 24
Brigade were to hold on to the lead throughout the second period but the final outcome was never secure until the final whistle with both sides determined to succeed. Redcar reduced the arrears with a penalty during a period of effective combinations where the defensive work of Hetherington, Bulley and the Robinson brothers was to prove invaluable. Despite the pressure from the visitors, Brigade created perhaps the best try of the game or indeed a 'Friarage' classic. Arnell fed Gorman well inside the Brigade half, his run taking him through several tackles and into the Redcar half were he was finally halted, but not before finding Arnell at full speed on his left. Brigade's skipper maintained his pace and despite the close attention of the covering player went over in the corner for the final and crucial home score of the match.
Redcar were then to take advantage of a tiring home side, where all the squad were given a chance to play their part, and closed the gap to two points with two tries as the game entered a rather lengthy period of extra time. A number of penalty awards kept Redcar in possession as anxious spectators urged the final whistle and Brigade defended with renewed vigour. A kickable penalty gave Redcar the opportunity to take the spoils but a touchline kick and line-out was elected, to the rather puzzled Brigade players and spectators. The reason became clear later when it was revealed that Redcar thought the deficit was five points and a penalty would not suffice. Bit of a shame for the visitors but somewhat fortunate for Brigade who defended the last play of the match and greeted the final whistle with some relief.
Credit to both teams for an entertaining game played in the best possible spirit as befits this league.