TECH 37 - 3 Winlaton Vulcans
Excellent team display earns another important victory in battle for promotion

Following on from their poor display at Acklam a week earlier the home side needed to start well to build their confidence in this game. They did just that opening the scoring in the opening minute. They won good ball at a scrum on half way and this led to an excellent break from scrum half WILLIAMSON. The ball was then transferred out to full back COLE who had joined the line. With a man outside him a try always looked on but he opted to chip over the heads of the defence before following up his kick to dive over for the opening score. Phil WALLIS saw his attempted conversion go wide.

TECH were looking lively and with the forwards playing more as a unit than of late they piled pressure on the visitors. Unfortunately a couple of silly penalties for handling in the ruck allowed Winlaton to clear their lines. Despite this the home side kept pegging away forcing the visiting pack to start to concede penalties in their desperate attempts to prevent home possession. On the half hour a powerful run by winger Carl BROWN was halted when he was tripped from behind. Referee Paul CANDLISH awarded the penalty but only decided to have a word with the offender. Phil WALLIS again saw his kick into the wind drift just wide of the posts.

The home pressure had to lead to another score and it arrived after 34 minutes. Following good interplay between the backs the ball was passed to Carl BROWN who set off on another strong run. Although he was finally halted some 10 metres from the line the pressure was to tell as the defence was penalised. A tap penalty saw a ruck formed from which Stephen STOCKDALE picked up before powering through several would be tacklers to score. WALLIS converted to make the score 12-0.

TECH continued to press for the remainder of the half but could not add to their total before the break.

 As in the first half TECH were keen to start well. Again they were to do so and after just 2 minutes a powerful drive by the pack took play deep into visitors territory. The ball was moved into the centres were Richard FOSTER came in from his wing to take the ball on.

The visitors were clearly rattled and with TECH playing good positive rugby it seemed only time before they again added to their score. When it came it was as a result of a spectacular individual effort from Stephen STOCKDALE. The big number 8 gained possession some 30 metres from the visitors line before setting off on a powerful run which saw him brush through the desperate cover before handing off the full back and going over for an unconverted try.

Shortly afterwards TECH were forced to re-shuffle their front row as loose head Paul DOVE received a kick which caused a wound above his eye. Barry WARD came on as replacement.

TECH didn't have long to wait for their next score. A good tackle and turn over by Nick CORRIGAN saw them gain possession. The ball was moved to WALLIS who made a fine break before passing to FOSTER who crossed for a try wide on the left. WALLIS added the extra points with another fine kick making the score 30-0.

To their credit the visitors tried to hit back but TECH were in no mood to let things slip and defended well. With the game as good as won TECH brought on their replacements with first Anthony CAMERON and later David CHESHIRE joining the fray.

After 30 minutes TECH again added to their total. A good drive by the pack saw a ruck form  just short of the line. Chris WILLIAMSON displayed good awareness to pick up and scoot over for the try which WALLIS again converted.

The visitors eventually opened their account on 35 minutes. Amazingly despite being 37-0 behind they opted to kick  a penalty awarded just inside the home 22. Despite this their was no way back into the game for them and TECH played out time to record a fully deserved 37-3 victory.