Redcar 12 Sandal40
A first half performance of power, pace and precise handling skills saw Sandal kill the game off in the first half when having played into the conditions they led twenty six points to nil at the break. From the outset the Milnthorpe Green men threatened to break through as they totally dominated possession as they played into the wind and kept the ball in hand. On ten minutes no. 8 Richard Wade showed power and sleight of hand on halfway to feed winger Dave Ell who left the defence in his wake as he crossed with full back Chris Reakes converting well into the wind. Sandal continued to dominate with both second rows Rob Overton and James Riley stealing ball against the throw and being powerful in the loose and centre Danny Mitchell's lines of running and pace continually testing the home defence. The continued pressure finally told when good hands on the blind side saw winger Simon Frewin in space on the outside and he dived over in the corner to give his side a twelve point lead. This was repeated shortly after on twenty minutes when sharp hands following a turnover resulted in full back Chris Reakes outpacing the cover from half way to cross under the posts and convert himself before he dived over again close to the posts following a defence splitting pass from captain and fly half Matt Hemingway who was thoroughly enjoying himself on his return to his former club. The last five minutes of the half saw the home side pressurise Sandal on their line as they fought stay in the game but without success.
The second half saw Redcar open strongly with them looking to retain possession and use their forwards to gain ground. This brought success when full back Stovell crossed close to the posts with fly half McMahon converting. Sandal responded and winger Dave Ell scorched clear to cross from eighty metres following turnover ball and quick hands in his own twenty-two with full back Chris Reakes converting well. The Milnthorpe Green men put the game beyond any doubt when Reakes again cut through and then stood the home full back up to cross for a superbly taken hat trick with five minutes remaining. His conversion put the game further out of the home side's reach but Redcar refused to give in and showing the fight that had gained them a superb win the previous week at home to Heath they crossed in the final minute through winger Storey to leave the final score forty points to twelve to Sandal who consolidated their lead at the top of the table but left aware that sterner tasks lay ahead.
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