Sat 28 Feb 2026
Ash gave a debut to youngster Rufus Bray-Bowden and the visitors started strongly, Arkle kicking a penalty after 3 minutes. Ash then conceded 18 unanswered points as they were repeatedly penalised for high tackles or offside, enabling Redcar to dominate possession. During this period Ash lost skipper Harmer for 20 minutes as he received treatment, he was replaced by a second debutant, Finlay Sproat, Mick Davis moving up into the second row with fellow veteran Darren Dickinson.
After 30 minutes Ash started to gain possession and a strong Reynolds run set up a good attacking ruck but Ash took the wrong option by throwing out a huge miss pass instead of using their big forwards and the opportunity was lost. Ash bounced back and Brierley was twice stopped just short before Johnson barged his way over from short range, Arkle converting to make the half time score 18-10.
From the restart Ash tried to run the ball from behind their own line and lost the ball 5 metres out, from the resulting scrum Ash were penalised for not binding correctly, Redcar forcing their way over from the penalty for a converted try.
Ash attacked from the kick off, and a penalty was kicked into the corner for a period of sustained pressure. Good hands saw Taylor tackled into touch 2 metres out, and Johnson was held up over the line.
A rampaging Brierley run in midfield resulted in the backs breaking right from the ruck and quick hands saw Ryan Taylor race in for a try, well converted by Arkle.
With the score now 25-17 and 20 minutes to play Ash were back in the game. Unfortunately on 70 minutes poor passing saw the ball go to ground in midfield with Ash pressing, Redcar hacked through and won the race to score a break away try, the conversion made the score 32-17.
Ash still had a chance of a bonus point and Bray-Bowden hit a fantastic 50 -22 and Ash gave a third debut when they brought on Kieran Dunn, but Ashingtons final chance went with the issuing of a red card by the referee, leaving Ash with 14 men.
This was a disappointing result for Ashington, leaving the team in their lowest league position for many years.
On the plus side the 3 debutants all showed promise and with colts Alex Richardson, Leo Townsley, Ryan Taylor and Joey Moulding all begining to establish themselves in the first team squad, with a bit more commitment and guidance from the senior players the long term future is positive.
Next week Ashington are at home to Westoe KO 3pm.
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