Saturday, 9th December 2006

Grayfields

An easy victory for West in this local derby but whilst one might expect such a defeat to dispirit the hosts there were in fact several positives that the home team could take from this game.

Against a team two full divisions above them Tech gave their visitors more than a match upfront and, in general, competed well at the breakdown. Perhaps their efforts deserved to yield more than the solitary try they scored but, on the whole, Tech could feel satisfied with their afternoon’s work.

Player/coach Michael Parker spoke highly of his troops after the game. “I have nothing but praise for the lads who turned out today. I’m very proud of the performance.

“We’ve given a far more capable team a good game and if we play like this next week then I’m confident we’ll get the two points on offer”.

Whilst Tech did indeed cause West more than a few problems upfront the difference between these two Hartlepool clubs was the undoubted skill that the visitors possessed in the back line. As well as England under 18 player Michael Young tweaking havoc in open play, recent signing from Darlington, Neil Howe, was a telling force at inside centre. His numerous, seemingly effortless breaks contributing in no small way to West’s commanding win, and with Gavin Painter, who would later play alongside Dad John who came on as a late substitute, also proving to be a slippery customer at fly half, West had too much firepower for their hosts.

Tech competed well for much of the first half and turned around with the score at only 12-0. Having come close to opening the scoring themselves it was former Tech full back James Masshedar who opened the scoring on 27 minutes with a fine try after good work from the visiting team. Tom Dixon failed to convert with what would prove to be his only failure of the afternoon.

Michael Young grabbed the second try on the brink of half time after some wonderful individual play from the scrum half. A scrum on the Tech 22 had provided the platform and a superb break left Tech’s defence for dead as the young international coasted behind the posts. Tom Dixon converted for 12-0.

An almost identical break 4 minutes after half time saw Young grab his second try. A Tech knock on provided West with the scrum and having coasted through the initial tackles, good support eventually saw him sail over. Dixon improved for 19-0.

Tech finally grabbed the score their efforts had deserved on 52 minutes after a host of drives close to the West line. After visiting prop Carr was sin binned for killing the ball at the ruck, Tech took the penalty quickly and Ian Pinchen burrowed his way over the line. Paul Dove, having executed the unorthodox pre-kick technique of removing his boot, failed to convert!

But West immediately restored their advantage with their fourth try. From the kick off West established a ruck on the Tech 22. Having taken the pass, Gavin Painter eased through the defence to cross for another converted try.

With the game over as a contest West upped a gear and finished off with three further tries. First, Jordan Baggs was driven over from an attacking lineout on 64 minutes after a penalty kick to touch. And then Michael Young completed a fine afternoon for himself with two further tries on 69 and 74 minutes, the final try coming after a lovely counter attack had seen the ball move through several pairs of hands. Dixon adding the extras on all three occasions.

Both teams return to their promotion pushes next week with West travelling to Middlesbrough and Tech also entertaining opponents from south of the Tees in the form of Guisborough.

Tech 5

Try: Pinchen (52)

West 47

Tries: Masshedar (27), Young (36, 44, 69, 74), Painter (53), Baggs (64)

Cons: T Dixon (36, 44, 53, 64, 69, 74)

Scoring Sequence (Tech listed first):

0-5 (T) 0-10 (T) 0-12 (C) HT 0-17 (T) 0-19 (C) 5-19 (T) 5-24 (T) 5-26 (C) 5-31 (T)  5-33 (C) 5-38 (T) 5-40 (C) 5-45 (T) 5-47 (C)

Tech

Knight, Bulmer, Foster, Corrigan, Brown, Parker, Siddle; Dove, Hamilton, Palmer, Thompson, Wray, Howard, Best, Pinchen

Scrums 21, Attacking scrums 6, Scrums won on own put in 18, Scrums lost on own put in 3 (3 against head), Pens awarded 12, Kicked at goal 0, Kicked for touch 4, Ran 8, Lines won on own throw 5, Lines lost on own throw 1, Free Kicks 2

West

Masshedar, Lambert, Edwards, Howe, Cheslin, G Painter, Young; Carr, A Dixon, Norris, Henderson, T Dixon, Boatman, Baggs, Miller. Subs: Tighe, J Painter (all used) 

Sin Bin: Carr (50)

Scrums 7, Attacking scrums 1, Scrums won on own put in 7, Scrums lost on own put in 0, Pens awarded 8, Kicked at goal 0, Kicked for touch 5, Ran 3, Lines won on own throw 6, Lines lost on own throw 3, Free Kicks 0

Referee: Alan Hughes (RFU)