Saturday, 11th November 2006, Belmangate

It would probably be a first in pre-game preparations to offer spectators at a rugby game sedatives to aid their viewing. However if Tech continue to put their loyal supporters through the proverbial mill, administrators at Grayfields may have no option but to necessitate such measures!

This game summed up Tech’s season to date perfectly. Brilliant at times, ordinary at others, both interspaced by micro-pockets of shocking incompetence. In the end this trio combined to produce a point for the visitors, a point that going into injury time looked well beyond them and when searching for positives out of this scrappy contest (a total of 36 scrums gives an idea of the stop start nature!) it can at least be said that Tech’s character shone through in the closing stages. Trailing 14-7, 5 minutes into injury time, a series of penalties against the home team had allowed Tech to advance into the home 22. Andy Palmer made the initial surge to set up an attacking ruck and after the ball was shipped wide to Nigel Bulmer, the winger cleverly slipped the ball to Richard Foster who powered into the corner for his second try of the afternoon. Ian Wilson nailed the tricky conversion, made all the harder by the powerful wind that had blighted the afternoon’s proceedings, and Tech could celebrate extending their unbeaten run to 5 games.

A draw was probably the fairest result as neither team had done much to merit outright victory. Guisborough lacked imagination going forward and frequently kicked away the good possession they had. Tech on the other hand continued their profligate ways near the line wasting several chances that could have sealed the game before half time. Disappointingly, their lineout was again nothing short of hopeless. It is a continuous source of trouble for Tech and one hopes it will be sorted out sooner rather than later.

Things had started brightly for the visitors. A lovely break by Nick Donnelly took play deep into enemy territory and although play was halted by a knock on, Tech were in no mood to allow their hosts off the hook. Excellent scrummaging from the pack caused Guisborough to hurry the ball away. The onrushing back line were quick to the scene and after Richard Foster’s tackle forced the ball loose, the centre picked up and dived over for the first of his two tries. Wilson converted for 7 nil.

Guisborough were denied what looked like a clear cut penalty try moments later after fly half Zorick was held back when advancing towards the ball he had hacked forward and shortly after Foster very nearly grabbed another try when he made a powerful break from his own half. Guisborough winger Watson preventing the score with a superb tackle. Even so Tech should have added to their lead from a subsequent scrum but poor play at the breakdown saw them turn over possession.

Lacklustre play at the breakdown cost Tech dear on 14 minutes. Having coughed up possession on half way, Zorick made a brilliant break to the Tech line and established the ruck. The ball was fed out to centre Scott who crossed for the score. George’s conversion levelled the scores.

The same player narrowly failed with a penalty attempt on 29 minutes and shortly after another telling break by Nick Donnelly nearly paved a way for Ian Wilson to run home but another marvellous tackle by Watson prevented the score.

The first half then petered out without much in the way of incident and by and large it remained that way for the opening phases of the second half. Tech enjoyed the majority of possession and territory but sloppy handling prevented them from gaining any sustained pressure. Their raids did yield penalties on both 53 and 56 minutes but on both occasions Wilson failed to capitalise.

Tech’s inability to make their pressure count had a slightly ominous feel to it and sure enough Guisborough made them pay on 67 minutes. George had earlier failed with a penalty attempt of his own but was instrumental when the hosts took a Tech scrum against the head. The scrum half made a sniping dart before feeding Horton who dashed for the line. Foster held the centre up but a lovely offload to Zorick saw the South African cross by the posts. George converted and Tech were staring down the barrel at 14-7 down.

George missed a penalty on 72 minutes that would have made the game safe and some good drives by the forwards nearly yielded a third try for the home team. But Tech were to have the last word as Foster and Wilson combined to quench Guisborough’s joy.

Guisborough 14

Tries: Scott (14), Zorick (67)

Cons: George (14, 67)

Tech 14

Tries: Foster (7, 80(+5))

Cons: Wilson (7, 80(+5))

Scoring sequence (Guisborough listed first):

0-5 (T), 0-7 (C), 5-7 (T), 7-7 (C) HT 12-7 (T), 14-7 (C), 14-12 (T), 14-14 (C) FT 

Guisborough

Patterson, Hamlin, Horton, Scott, Watson, Zorick, George; Devenport, Lodge, McCluskey, Hooker, Leggott, J Berriman, Towers, Flint, Subs: R Berriman, Young (all used)

Scrums 14, Attacking scrums 1, Scrums won on own put in 13, Scrums lost on own put in 1 (1 against head), Pens awarded 6, Kicked at goal 3 (3 misses), Kicked for touch 1, Ran 2, Lines won on own throw 12, Lines lost on own throw 1

Tech

Knight, Brown, Foster, Donnelly, Cole, Wilson, Siddle; Palmer, Hamilton, Ward, Wray, Pinchen, Best, Smart, Stockdale, Subs: Dove, Bulmer, Williamson (all used)

Scrums 22, Attacking scrums 4, Scrums won on own put in 21, Scrums lost on own put in 1, Pens awarded 12, Kicked at goal 2 (2 misses), Kicked for touch 4, Ran 5, Scrummed 1, Lines won on own throw 6, Lines lost on own throw 9