Saturday, November 4th 2006, Grayfields
It might only have been the eve of bonfire night but early fireworks were available to onlookers at Grayfields as Tech and Blyth opened up November’s league games with a thrilling game of rugby.
With both Wallsend and Whitley Bay Rockcliff winning at the weekend, this 7 try win keeps the pressure on the Northumberland duo and with key games coming up for all three clubs an interesting month lies in wait for followers of this league.
To score 7 tries against a team whose performance suggested they are not as bad as their lowly league position might indicate was particularly satisfying for the home team. But, despite this, Tech once again looked a few notches short of the finished article with some disappointing defensive lapses allowing their visitors to clinch two first half tries.
The first came after just seven minutes. Blyth’s influential fly half, Greg Dawson, had already missed out on three points moments earlier but did not have to wait long for his second shot at goal in the form of a conversion attempt. A maul set up after a successful lineout saw Blyth rumble their way up to the home 22 and second rower Frazer broke off to sail through Tech’s non existent defence for the opening score.
Tech did not have to wait too long for the equalising try. Michael Siddle made a telling break from a scrum on half way and fed Richard Foster who drew his defender before sending Jon Cole over in the corner. Wilson converted with a marvellous kick from the touchline.
Dawson put the visitors back in front with a penalty on 24 minutes before Tech again demonstrated their new found prowess in the backs with Foster at the helm once more. The powerful centre made a splendid break from his own 22 and fed Knight who bore down on the Blyth line. Having sold his marker an exquisite dummy the full back dived over for the five points.
Poor play in the loose was hampering Tech’s ability to gain a settled rhythm and after a turn over near half way Blyth countered and a penalty allowed them to kick to the corner. From the subsequent maul the ball was fed to Dawson who emulated Knight’s accomplishments perfectly to dummy his way under the posts for a try he converted himself.
His flawless kicking punished the hosts again 2 minutes later with a well struck penalty but just when it seemed that Blyth might finish the half with a commanding lead, Tech found some late form to march play up to the Blyth line. After Nick Donnelly came close to scoring an attacking scrum provided the platform for Alex Best to break away and cross the line untouched.
The flanker was to prove key in the build up to the try shortly after the break that gave the hosts the lead. Having embarked on a barnstorming run, Best was eventually brought down near the line. However, Siddle was quick to the scene and picked up to dart over.
Tech established a 29-20 lead on 59 minutes when Nick Donnelly grabbed his team’s 5th try. A series of penalties had allowed Tech to take play into the Blyth 22 and after lineout ball was secured Foster plucked Wilson’s wayward pass out of air superbly and his quick pass sent his team mate under the posts.
Tech’s discipline had been questionable throughout the game with the home team giving 20-year-old referee Andrew Jackson plenty to think about at the breakdown. Such ill discipline was evident on 66 minutes when Jackson deemed Tech to be coming in at the side. Dawson duly obliged with another fine kick between the uprights and for the third week in succession it seemed the Grayfields faithful were going to be in for a tense finish.
But, threatened with the termination of their unbeaten streak, Tech upped a gear and signed off with two late tries. Chris Knight made an excellent break into the Blyth 22 and support was on hand in the form of Alex Best who powered his way to the line for his second try. Then, having gone close on several occasions, Stockdale added some more gloss to the score by breaking from an attacking scrum and crashing over.
Another incomplete performance from the men in blue but, in the punishing world of league rugby, winning is everything.
Tech 39
Tries: Cole (17), Knight (28), Best (40(+3), 73), Siddle (52), Donnelly (59),
Stockdale (80(+2))
Cons: Wilson (17, 59)
Blyth 23
Tries: Frazer (7), Dawson (34)
Cons: Dawson (7, 34)
Pens: Dawson (24, 36, 66)
Scoring sequence (Tech listed first):
0-5, 0-7, 5-7, 7-7, 7-10, 12-10, 12-15, 12-17, 12-20, 17-20 HT 22-20, 27-20, 29-20, 29-23, 34-23,
39-23 FT
Tech
Knight, Brown, Foster, Donnelly, Cole, Wilson, Siddle; Palmer, Hamilton, Ward, Jukes, Wray, Pinchen, Best, Stockdale, Subs: Dove, Smart, Campbell (all used)
Scrums 8 Attacking scrums 3 Scrums won on own put in 7 Scrums lost on own put in 1 (1 against head) Pens awarded 6 Kicked at goal 0 Kicked for touch 5 Ran 1 Lines won on own throw 13 Lines lost on own throw 5
Blyth
Hall, Sinton, Robinson, Pattison, B Smith, Dawson, Bostock; Dunwoodie, Stephenson, Sparks, Beech, Frazer, Jonathan Smith, Harnett, Henderson, Subs: Barratt, Harding, Jason Smith (all used)
Scrums 6 Attacking scrums 0 Scrums won on own put in 6 Scrums lost on own put in 0 Pens awarded 16 Kicked at goal 4 (1 miss), Kicked for touch 8 Ran 4 Lines won on own throw 10 Lines lost on own throw 9
Referee: Andrew Jackson (Durham)