Two Tries for Richard FOSTER                                          Penalty to TECH

WEST STAGS  0  -  13  TECH

TECH made the short journey over to Brinkburn on Saturday to take on West Stags. TECH  opted not to risk any of the players carrying injuries from the previous weeks win over Novos in order to give them time to recover for the more important games ahead. That coupled with the unavailability of the likes of Phil JUKES meant it was  a much changed side that took the field.

TECH started the game playing towards the clubhouse end of the pitch but it was the home side that mounted the first attack as their forwards won a couple of rucks to take play into TECH territory. From the resultant scrum however the visiting pack set up a solid platform and the ball was cleared upfield. The opening stages were quite frenetic with both sides taking advantage of some lax refereeing to frustrate any good clean possession.

After a quarter of an hour good play from the visitors pack saw them take play deep into the home 22. Powerful drives from skipper CAMERON and STOCKDALE caused chaos in the home ranks but a knock on brought the progress to a halt. On 24 minutes another determined drive by STOCKDALE saw him brush off several would be tacklers as he took play almost to the home 22. STAG'sS were then penalised for killing the ball and Jon COLE opened the scoring with an easy kick.

Just after this scrum half Michael SIDDLE sustained a cut just above his eye and came off for treatment. He was replaced by new signing Lydon METSON who was immediately in action as he orchestrated another rolling maul from his pack. Unfortunately the promising position was lost when the referee decided a TECH player had joined the maul from the side and STAG's cleared. The home side then set a good attack of their own. The ball was moved out to the left win g where Gavin PAINTER made good ground before putting in a clever chip ahead. Winger FOSTER was in position to collect the ball in his own in goal area but as he tried to clear his attempted kick was charged down but it bounced to safety. Both sides continued to try and run the ball but a mixture of good defence and unforced errors meant the score remained at 0-3 as they reached half time. During the half time break Alex BEST had to be replaced as he was suffering from an upset stomach.

TECH kicked off the second half and as a home forward caught the ball a tremendous tackle by Adam HOWARD saw the ball run loose. Before either side could regain possession the referee blew his whistle and awarded a scrum on half way as he decided TECH players had been in front of the kicker at the restart. Play then was confined to midfield for a spell as again players  spoiled possession by being allowed to play the ball in offside positions. After 8 minutes SIDDLE left the field to be again replaced by METSON, this time though it was a permanent substitution.

TECH now had the upper hand and on 12 minutes a good attack saw FOSTER make good ground before being forced into touch 10 metres from the goal line. After 18 minutes more good forward play saw STOCKDALE drive at the heart of the home defence only for the position to be lost as the referee awarded another penalty to the home side.

After 26 minutes TECH gained reward for the dominance. The pack again won good ball which was the quickly transferred along the backs to FOSTER. Although he still had plenty to do to score his pace and power took him clear and he crossed to give his side an 0-8 lead. Jon COLE saw his attempted conversion go agonisingly close as the ball bounced off the post.

Both sides made a number of changes with TECH replacing Andrew CAMPBELL, David CHESHIRE and Andrew THOMPSON.  Stephen SWALES and Mixie PARKER replacing the first two and TECH Old Boy John PAINTER coming on at prop.

With five minutes to go TECH scored again. Once more good possession was gained by the forwards and the ball given to the backs. FOSTER again showed to much pace for the home cover and he crossed for another unconverted try to take the score to 0-13. Although there were probably a few minutes still to play the referee decided enough was enough and blew his whistle for full time.

This was a good workout for both sides with a number of players turning in good performances. For TECH skipper Anthony CAMERON led by example while new signings, full back James ALLISON and scrum half METSON both looked useful acquisitions.