Saturday, 13th January 2007, Grayfields

Ashington are no strangers to ambushing Tech’s promotion plans. Four days over eight years ago Ashington came to Grayfields struggling in the lower regions of North East division 3. Tech on the other hand stood at the top of the league and seemed on course for promotion as champions. But, on a tortuous day, Ashington ripped up the form book and won 10-6, a defeat that very nearly derailed Tech’s promotion campaign. But if this and the usual combative nature of the Northumberland club had given Ashington cause for optimism ahead of Saturday’s game, Tech quickly quashed such a notion by turning in a stylish performance that had their loyal support purring throughout the encounter.

After the tense finishes in their last three league games against Blyth, Guisborough and Yarm, this was an altogether more comfortable stroll for the Wiltshire Way club. Although Ashington played with their usual tenacity and determination they bore the look of a team that knew they were up against more skilful opponents with some fairly innocuous tactics failing to cause Tech much concern. The greatest example of this was scrum half Alan Halliday’s constant attempts to kick the ball beyond the Tech defence following scrums. Although the visitors did little to suggest they would have troubled the home defence had they kept hold of the ball, frequently kicking away possession did nothing to aid their cause and was a sign that this was a team short on ideas.

Tech, on the other hand, enjoyed a relatively productive day in terms of creativity. The forwards gave one of their better displays this season with players rucking with real power and purpose and the back division looked sharp and ready. Phil Wallis, a recent signing from West, gave an excellent account of himself on league debut by orchestrating Tech’s back line with aplomb and giving some delightful exhibitions of both passing and tactical kicking. Although it may be premature to pass full judgement on his capabilities after only one league game, the early signs are that Tech have acquired a bright young star.

The home team did well for much of the first half and managed to establish a 14-3 lead at the break. Early pressure from the large Ashington pack manufactured a penalty in front of the posts, which Phillips converted, but from then on the half belonged to the home team. Good play from the Tech forwards established quality ball for the backs to play with and it took some determined defence from David Lynn, who gave a superb defensive display at full back, to stop Richard Foster from adding to his try tally this season. But following the lineout that resulted from this tackle, Tech stole the Ashington throw and marched up to the goal line, Stephen Stockdale the chief engineer of the drive. Then, after Wallis and Adam Howard nearly found away over, a penalty to Tech gave Alex Best the opportunity to quickly burrow his way under the posts. Wallis converted.

Carl Brown, who was to enjoy another industrious afternoon, came close to adding a second try moments later following another nice back move, another superb tackle from Lynn preventing the score. But Tech were in the ascendancy and Nick Donnelly confirmed Tech’s dominance on 27 minutes with another good try. The platform had been set by more good rucking from the forwards and after the ball was spun wide, Donnelly dummied his way through the defensive line and forced his way over in the corner. Wallis, kicking into the wind, added a superb conversion.

Playing up the slope against the wind Ashington began the second half bravely and forced Tech to defend for the opening salvos of the second period. But on 53 minutes the tough task ahead of the collierymen was rendered virtually impossible as Tech added their third try of the game. A good kick by Wallis presented Ashington with a lineout ten metres from their own line. Powerful winds meant that good lineout ball had been at a premium and sure enough Ashington failed to secure the ball from the line. Tech recovered and some good interplay between Howard and Stockdale eventually saw the burly number eight power over for an unconverted try.

With the game over as a contest, proceedings became scrappy with dropped passes and careless mistakes creeping into both team’s play. As tiredness began to set in, penalties around the tackle area began to increase and Tech took advantage to increase their lead with Phil Wallis adding two late penalty goals, the second another very impressive effort given the conditions.

Talbot Park, Acklam, the venue for Tech’s next league game, a ground on which they haven’t won for ten years. However, playing like this, there is every chance that the curse will be broken.