West Hartlepool Technical Day School Old Boys Rugby Union Football Club -or as they are known throughout the county " Tech."
The short walk was from my home to Tech club house and ground which is less than half a mile. This was my shortest club visit trip of the season.
Tech have had mixed fortunes in recent years. At their peak they were competing at level six playing in National League North One East. With no junior section to supply fresh playing talent they slipped down the leagues. Eventually they dropped out of league rugby and for a couple of seasons play no rugby at all.
Three years ago, with a combination of senior former players and youngsters recruited form the local area, a team was put together to enter the Tees Valley League. With the experience of two years of playing in the Tees Valley League this season they joined the National leagues playing in N&D three.
With a squad of around thirty players they have fulfilled their full league program and reached the final of the Durham County Junior cup which is due to be played later this month.
Coached by former players Mick Ingham and Kevin Cooke they feel that this season has been one of progress, and with the prospect of a number of new young players for the start of next season they are optimistic about the near future.
In the evening there was a birthday party for former Tech and Rovers back row Billy Devonport. This brought lots old rugby friends into the club and kept me there later than I had intended talking about past playing days.