SUNDERLAND ROMP TO BIG WIN OVER REDCAR
Sunderland welcomed Redcar to Ashbrooke hoping to gain maximum points to climb the league table, and delivered on both counts delivering a comprehensive nine-try victory to run out 610 victors.
Redcar showed tremendous character, holding onto ball for long periods of play in the first half testing Sunderland’s defence, and fought to the final whistle but gained no reward for their efforts.
Leon Ryan bagged a brace of tries and eight conversions, his first on eight minutes, and his last being the final try of the game.
Further scores cane from Luke Victory, who revelled in a prominent ball-carrying role and capitalised from a turnover ball taking a pass on the edge of 22 to crash through and score under posts on 13 minutes.
Prop Ryan Buckley followed up as a Marc Edmundson punt was collected by Redcar, Sunderland’s effective chase led by Fletcher Jackson forced another turnover and a short pop to Buckley in the five-metre channel saw the hulking figure drive over the line taking three opponents with him.
Back row Grant Edmundson thought Christmas had come early as he gathered a Redcar overthrow in the line out five metres out, to then jink his way in to score the bonus point try on 26 minutes.
The half ended 26-0 and coach Martin Watt urged the side to stay composed and maintain structure.
Chris Geehan came into the front row and colt Devram Koca was introduced to make his senior debut outing in an accomplished performance making his presence felt at the breakdown and also known to the referee for the occasional transgression of the ruck and offside laws.
On 50 minutes, scrum half Ben Hutchinson’s miss pass found Dom Younger out wide and the robust winger beat his man to gain his first of the day.
Chris Geehan threw an outrageous dummy and sprinted over the gain line into Redcar’s half and as he was tackled, off-loaded to Marc Edmundson who in turn drew his man and released Andy Wordsworth who had made the yards to provide support.
Wordsworth showed some pace to race in and score taking scores to 40-0 with 53 minutes having been played.
Sunderland worked their phases well and showed good attacking support options and well organised defence.
Wordsworth figured again making another uncharacteristic break and making a fine offload to Dom Younger who stepped one defender before rounding the last man to get his second try of the day.
Marc Edmundson added his name to scoresheet, creating his own space with a show and go to score Sunderland’s eighth of the day.
Injuries in the Redcar squad meant part of the second half had to go to uncontested scrums, but they still battled, in particular their young fullback who ran the ball at Sunderland at every opportunity.
Leon Ryan finished the game with the final try, a fitting end for the fullback who took the game to Redcar as he joined the attacking line on many occasions.
James Fraser, who started at hooker, was commended for his performance by skipper Joe Arrowsmith, who put in his usual dynamo performance.
The win moved Sunderland to third spot. They have a free weekend coming up and then have a derby clash at Houghton a week on Saturday.