Saturday, 14th October 2006, Grayfields

If last weeks performance against Selby was a suggestion that Tech are not as incapable as they have hinted this season then this victory against Acklam was the confirmation.

Many critics have rounded on the Wiltshire Way club since the start of the season demanding that they put their promises of improvement into deeds on the pitch and whilst this victory was not accomplished with a full swagger the home team still did enough to suggest that they are beginning to find their feet after a rocky start.

None the less this victory must still be treated with a degree of perspective. Tech have still been beaten by the top 2 teams in the league and on Saturday there was some sloppy handling and basic errors on display again. If this victory is to be the start of better things then it is vital the players realise that improvements still need to be made.

But, errors or no errors, this emphatic shutout will raise morale in the Tech camp. The victory was not only their biggest win against Acklam since 1996 but was also a record victory against their Teesside opponents in competitive games. Indeed, such was their dominance, had Tech taken all their chances and held onto the ball more often the score could have made even grimmer reading for the visitors.

Tech made it clear that they were in no mood to allow their visitors to ease into the game by making a fabulous start. Acklam’s kick off failed to advance the requisite 10 metres and from the scrum Dave Cheshire, who had a fine game at scrum half, made a cheeky break into enemy territory before feeding Chris Knight whose pace took him into the Acklam 22. Support was in plentiful amount and after some good handling Alex Best crashed over after just 66 seconds!

Acklam fought back impressively and Blakemore narrowly pulled a penalty attempt wide minutes later.

But from that moment on the half belonged to Tech. The forwards secured possession with great efficiency and for a change Tech’s back line gave a glimpse of what they can do when the ball is being provided. But, for all the attacks they mounted, Tech were repelled by a combination of some determined Acklam defence and poor skills with the ball being spilled when it really should have been held onto. Stockdale was then sin binned on 20 minutes for stamping after another attack frustratingly came to nothing.

But even with the man in the bin Tech’s dominance went uninterrupted. Stockdale’s return came with the score still at 5 nil and then, after more good work from the forwards had taken the ball to the Acklam 5m line, the ball was spun wide and Donelly cut through to score by the posts. Cheshire converted.

Better was to follow. After a clever kick from Foster nearly led to a second try for Donelly Tech set up camp on the Acklam 22. Some wonderful handling coupled with some neat passing eventually saw Stockdale sent over by the posts. Cheshire converted for a commanding 19 nil half time lead.

The game stagnated for the early parts of the second half with both teams eager to improve their fortunes. Some early pressure from Acklam suggested that the game was still up for grabs but as it had been when tested in the first half Tech’s defence was solid.

The game was effectively sealed on 64 minutes when Richard Foster added to his try tally for the season. A scrappy scrum from the hosts saw Acklam initially relieve the pressure. But Chris Knight ran the ball back before passing to Foster who chipped ahead. His pace put pressure on the gathering defender and with him being isolated the ball was turned over for Foster to claim the score.

Acklam then enjoyed their best phase of the match but again found Tech’s defence, even with Kevin Cook in the bin, too tough to crack. Then, as in the first half, Tech grabbed two late tries to reflect their dominance more adequately. First, Alex Best scored his second try after a penalty kick to the corner. A good maul was set up and Best eventually forced his way over. Referee Ken Hudson judging that his grounding was clean despite other views suggesting otherwise. Then having scored a try from the first kick off Tech repeated the trick from the last kick off. Ian Pinchen secured good ball from the restart and the ball was shipped to wing where Foster set off on a powerful run that ended with him covering all of 50 metres to cross for a superb individual try. Cole converted and the rout was complete.

Tech 36

Tries: Best (1, 78), Donelly (38), Stockdale (40(+2)), Foster (64, 80(+1))

Cons: Cheshire (38, 40(+2)), Cole (80(+1))

Acklam 0

Tech

Knight, Brown, Donelly, Corrigan, Foster, Parker, Cheshire; Palmer, Hamilton, Dove, Howard, Jukes, Best, Cook, Stockdale, Subs: Wray, Pinchen, Cole (all used)

Sin Bin: Stockdale (20), Cook (67)

Scrums 10, Attacking scrums 5, Scrums won on own put in 10, Scrums lost on own put in 0, Pens awarded 8, Kicked at goal 0, Kicked for touch 8, Ran 0, Lines won on own throw 10, Lines lost on own throw 5

Acklam

Blakemore, Fairburn, Bailes, Savage, Walker, Morgan, Chambers; Ashton, Casey, Mullins, Davidson, Dunn, Coxon, Nevison, Cruikshank, Subs: Turner, Render, Collins (all used)

Scrums 17, Attacking scrums 4, Scrums won on own put in 13, Scrums lost on own put in 4 (1 against head), Pens awarded 11, Kicked at goal 1 (1 miss), Kicked for touch 5, Ran 5, Lines won on own throw 9, Lines lost on own throw 3

Referee: Ken Hudson (Durham)