HARTLEPOOL 5 v TECH 57
TECH travelled across to Mayfield Park on Saturday to face close neighbours Hartlepool in Durham/Northumberland Div. 1. With each having suffered defeats on the opening day of the season they both were looking to open their accounts for the season. As it was it was TECH who came off best recording a resounding 57 -5 victory in a display that saw them run in nine tries, the rest of the points coming from the trusty boot of full back James MASSHEDAR.
TECH played the first half up the bank and against the strong wind and opened their account in just 5 minutes when a good attacking move saw the ball moved wide to Mattie RICHARDSON who crossed for a converted try in his first game of the season.
They almost added to their score after 12 minutes when another good handling move saw RICHARDSON and MASSHEDAR again combine well. The speedy full back kicked ahead before being late tackled. The referee allowed play to carry on only for 'Pool to regain possession before then being penalised for accidental offside. TECH could not capitalise and the home side managed to scramble the ball clear. TECH continued to look dangerous and both Stephen SMART and then Adam HOWARD were stopped just short of the line.
On 16 minutes their pressure paid dividends again when scrum half WILLIAMSON picked up at the base and passed to Carl BROWN who scored the first of what was to be a four try haul. The attempted conversion by MASSHEDAR went wide. Five minutes later TECH increased their lead again when a tap penalty saw the ball moved to Adam HOWARD who drove over powerfully for a debut try. This took the score to 0-17.
TECH were well on top although the home side's effort could not be faulted. On 26 minutes a clever chip ahead by Ashley PARKER saw him and brother Michael put pressure on the home defence. The ball then bounced kindly for the fly half who crossed for a converted try. In following the kick Michael received a cut which caused him to have to leave the field for a few minutes. Michael SIDDLE went on as blood replacement though his stay was to last only 5 minutes.
The final five minutes of the half saw the referee decide that the game was becoming ill tempered. Firstly on 35 minutes he yellow carded a home prop for a punch on Adam HOWARD and then on 41 minutes a minor skirmish involving Phil JUKES and the other home prop saw them both receive a yellow card immediately after which the Yorkshire official blew for half time.
The second period started with TECH seemingly taking their foot off the accelerator which allowed the home side back into the game somewhat. The game became scrappy with mistakes coming from both sides. After 10o minutes the match official showed yet another yellow card, this time Stephen SMART being the recipient after what again looked to be a minor skirmish at a ruck in the 'Pool half.
After 15 minutes TECH got back to playing the sort of rugby they had displayed earlier in the game. Ashley PARKER won a good loose ball in his own half before passing to Carl BROWN who scored his second try after leaving the cover for dead. MASSHEDAR again converted. to take the score to 0-31
Adam HOWARD was then replaced by Neil MASON. The change didn't break TECH's impetus as a good run by Carl BROWN saw him break into home territory. A quick interchange of passes with MASSHEDAR then saw BROWN cross for a try which his full back then augmented. The same pair were at it again only minutes later but on this occasion a good defensive tackle by the home fly half brought the move to an end.
On 25 minutes ROBSON repalaced Andrew CAMPBELL on the flank. TECH were quickly adding to their total when a minute later a great scrum saw them win good ball in the home 22. WILLIAMSON moved the ball quickly through the backs and when Mattie RICHARDSON was stopped short Simon CAVEY was on hand to pick up and cross for a converted try.
To their credit the home side kept trying and they hit back quickly. They were awarded a penalty which they ran quickly and with the TECH defence napping crosed for an unconverted score to take the score to5-45. Michael SIDDLE then replaced Ashley PARKER which saw Mixie move to fly half. Shortly afterwards a crunching tackle by him on home full back DONNELLY resulted in TECH gaining possession and the ball was quickly moved to skipper JONES who scored a try which MASSHEDAR again converted.
On 35 minutes TECH concluded the scoring. A good kick ahead by MASSHEDAR was followed up and reclaimed by Carl BROWN who strode over for his fourth try of the match. MASSHEDAR was unable to add the extra two points.
This was a good performance by the whole TECH side which could have resulted in them recording an even larger score had it not been for one or two lapses and some brave home defence.