A slight breeze was blowing behind Houghton as they kicked off, both sides were couscous at first trying to settle into the game. It was 15 mins before Houghton got on the scoreboard with a finely taken penalty, 0 – 3. This gave them confidence and they ran in 3 tries on 20, 27 and 30 mins, their flyhalf (wearing the No.12 shirt) converted 2 of them, 0 – 22. Just before half time, Redcar scored a try from a kick and chase from flyhalf Lee Collins, 5 – 22.

Half Time Redcar 5 Houghton 22

Redcar restarted the game and the half time talk from new coach Chris Bloomsfield must have gee’d up Redcar a bit because, on 45 mins No.8 Dom Ayre scored after a charging run from captain James Toward playing in the centre and some driving runs from the forwards, 10 – 22. Then on 52 mins Redcar scored again, the backs moved the ball and centre Joe Hudson crashed over, it was converted by winger Danny Addison, 17 – 22. This shook Houghton and 4 mins later when they were awarded a penalty they opted to kick for points and were successful, 17 – 25. On 60 mins the Houghton No.2 was given a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. Houghton kept the pressure on Redcar mainly from their No.12‘s astute kicking, he was the difference between the teams, he definitely has played at a higher level somewhere. Houghton scored 2 more tries on 65 and 70 mins both converted by No.12, 17 – 39. Redcar rallied in the last 10 mins and in the dying mins their sustained effort brought them a forth try and a bonus point. It was scored by raging bull Danny Addison.
Full Time Redcar 22 Houghton 39.