Redcar made a number of changes to the side that were soundly defeated last week by Hartlepool Rovers. Matt Hemmingway stepped into the No 10 position with Graeme Hathaway starting at scrum half. Glen Teeley at last was able to get some time off from work and started in the back row and veteran Charlie Challenor filled the tight head slot. Mark Patterson returned to fill the left wing spot.

 Redcar's new No 10

Huddersfield started brightly and went ahead after only 4 minutes with a penalty awarded by referee Andy Daniel and kicked by stand off Grayshon. The large crowd expected the worst but Redcar fought back and deservedly drew level with a sweetly struck penalty by winger Mark Patterson . Huddersfield scored their first try in the 27th minute when after a well worked back move full back Alex Shaw broke through a Redcar tackle to score. They then added a further try when their forwards drove over the Redcar line and prop Garry Whippy came up with the ball and the try. Grayshon converted. 

In the second half Redcar fought back and skipper Neil Cook was able to force himself over the line after an excellent forwards drive. The conversion went wide. Mr Daniel adjudged Redcars forwards were too robust and yellow carded both Neil Young and Glen Teeley but despite this the Redcar defence held out and stopped the visitors from scoring. Redcar spent most of the second half in the opposition 22 but the home side were unable to convert their territorial advantage into points and the victory went to the visitors.

A much improved performance with the team still diluted through injury and work commitments. Hemmingway at stand off must be worth continuing with, Graeme Hathaway showed today he has the ability to play at this level  and the back row of Gareth Richards, Richie Barker and Glen Teeley were all over the field. Mark Patterson in this form is a real bonus to the side.

So to next week a visit to Westoe and another harder test of the character of the squad. All the players need to make every effort to attend training this week and beg steal or borrow time off from work and Christmas shopping duties. 

We will be there to support them will you?

Saturday, 11 December 2004
Alnwick	6 - 21	Westoe
Driffield	46 - 0	West Hartlepool
Horden	36 - 34	Sandal
Malton and Norton	29 - 24	Morpeth
Redcar	8 - 15	Huddersfield
Stockton	22 - 27	Hartlepool Rovers

Powergen North 2 East

Team P W D L For Against Diff Pts Westoe 11 10 0 1 451 104 347 20 Huddersfield 11 9 1 1 265 102 163 19 Driffield 11 8 0 3 348 206 142 16 Alnwick 11 7 1 3 195 184 11 15 Malton and Norton 11 7 0 4 215 207 8 14 Hartlepool Rovers 11 5 0 6 178 218 -40 10 Sandal 11 4 0 7 206 234 -28 8 Redcar 11 4 0 7 183 261 -78 8 West Hartlepool 11 4 0 7 134 247 -113 8 Stockton 11 3 0 8 193 404 -211 6 Morpeth 11 2 0 9 217 273 -56 4 Horden 11 2 0 9 180 325 -145 4