A dogged performance

Having put 90 points past Blyth Redcar turned up at Ponteland in a buoyant mood and fought to the death in an absorbing rugby match

Pont made several changes and brought in Jack Scott for his first start at scrum half. Pont kicked off and immediately got into their rhythm and several good phases saw them in Redcar's 22. A scything break by Moller saw him in for the first try 5-0 (5 min)
From the kick off Leiserach caught a good pass. He was so surprised he caught it he gave a clear forward pass to a team mate! Redcar now began to run hard and several forward drives gave them a penalty from 40 metres out. 5-3 (12 min) from the kick off Pont failed to clear their lines and a turn over saw Redcar score an excellent try out wide with the conversion giving them the lead 5-10 ( 17 min)
Pont were finding it hard to get back in the game as Redcar closed down the space. A kick to the corner changed the dynamics of the game. A 15 metre lineout drive saw the visitors give away three successive penalties as the illegally prevented a score. On the fourth attempt Mew got the touchdown. A monster touch line conversion by Chick made it 12-10 (27 min)
Both teams were now tearing into each other as an absorbing game took shape. Just before half time Ponteland's game maker, Townshend came off with an ankle injury forcing a back line re shuffle . Pont continued to press as a line break by Lyndon set the home team up for several more lineout drives and penalties. Redcar defended well as the half time whistle went 12-10
From the kick off Redcar attacked with pace. A sweeping move saw the score out wide 12-15 (45 min). A Moller turn over saw Pont attack the corner. A 10 metre catch and drive saw Mew over for his 2nd touchdown. Chick again converted from out wide 19-15 (51 min) it was real end to end stuff, edge of the seat rugby as Redcar pressed again. The pressure produced a penalty 19-18 (57 min)
Ponts forwards now began to take control and several punishing drives and penalties saw the ref have enough and issue a yellow card to Redcar. Pont went for the jugular. A held up drive saw a 5 metre scrum. Pont shunted the visitors back who gave a penalty away rather that the try. This happened on a further two scrums with ensuing penalties until another yellow was issued. As another scrum was lined up a Pont player made a comment and the ref reversed the penalty !! A big let off as Pont looked certain to score! Redcar , despite being down to 13 men threw caution to the wind and four consecutive penalties saw them in Ponts 22 . Solid defence kept them out and when skipper, Jonny LE stole a lineout Pont charged forward and a high tackle on the line saw Chick step up with the last play of the game to make it 22-18.
Pont were happy to record the win as both sides knew they had been in a cracking game. The ref played his part in allowing both teams to play and for a neutral spectator ( not me) it showed rugby at its best as both teams left nothing on the pitch in search of the win.