Redcar break Pool hearts with a last minute try.

Hartlepool won the toss and played down the bank first half. Twice in the opening minutes, Redcar stole the ball line out ball 5 metres from the Redcar try line. The majority of the first 15 minutes saw Pool camped in the Redcar half, a combination of desperate defence and poor handling saw the attack kept at bay.

On the 17 minute mark, Redcar were penalised for being offside at the ruck and Keagen Thomas penalty kick was narrowly wide from 40 metres.

Redcar then finally came into game and the portly centre made a break on the blind side and got within five metres of the pool try line however a cracking tackle by Liam Pape stopped the attack by bundling the centre into touch.

From the line out, the away side pressed for try but Hartlepool’s defence was equal to the attack and the ball was cleared to the half way line.

With 10 minutes remaining of the first half, Redcar took the lead from a penalty in front of the post 3-0.

Pool then retook the lead immediately from the kick off, Keagen Thomas kick was fumbled and the ball was thrown backwards and Pool flanker Chris Begley pressured the kicker and managed to charge the attempted kick down and catch the rebound to score under the posts. Keagen Thomas added the extra 2 points to give Pool a 7-3 lead.

Two minutes before half time, Pool should have scored a second try, full back Adam Ainley intercepted a pass on the half way line and ran towards the try line, his opposite number caught him 5 metres from the Redcar try line and unfortunately the pass to Liam Pape didn’t go to hand and the danger was cleared.

Second half, Pool started the better of the 2 sides and scored a second try 10 minutes into the second period. Following a series of rucks, Adam Ainley made a break beating 2 players before linking up with winger Dean Ryan who attacked the space behind his opposite man, Ryan then drew the winger before passing to Liam Pape who ran in from 30 metres for a well worked try. Keagen Thomas added the extra 2 points to make it 14-3 to the home side.

With 5 minutes to play, Redcar scored what looked like a consolation try. The away number 8 picked up and good passing in the backs saw the wing go over in the corner. With the kick converted , Pool lead 14-10.

Pool then went on the attack looking for the all important try to seal the game, however disaster struck when they were penalised for crossing and the penalty kick took play into the Pool 22 metre line. Redcar won the line out ball and drove the ball on three times, the ball was then recycled and passed along the back line for the winger to score in the corner. With the conversion missed Redcar led 15-14 and the referee blew for full time.

Suli was man of the match for his all round display, closely followed by Chris Begley who successfully moved from centre to back row.

1 t stead
2 a small
3 n stead...
4 m smaller
5 c hanson
6 c beggley
7 s tubuna
8 t johnson
9 d thomas
10 p Wilson
11 l pape
12 k thomas
13 d Chester
14 d ryan
15 a ainley
16 d carson white
17c Woodward
18 j nichol