Full time at Barmoor on Saturday was greeted with cheers and hugs on behalf of the home team. A few storm clouds could also be spotted gathering over Ryton’s quaint, attractive little domicile. However, after this ultimately dispiriting defeat for Tech, the signs are that if the excellent team spirit and commitment that was evident in bucket loads against what is turning out to be a powerful Consett team are not rediscovered, it won’t be long before the storm clouds gather in far bigger numbers over Greyfields.
Like last week against Percy Park, Tech’s opponents fully deserved their eventual victory. Unlike last week, there is little to take from this game for the Hartlepool club. One of the most alarming aspects was the forward play in the loose. Time after time, ball was turned over when in possession, giving Ryton bags of ball to play with. Ryton’s pack on the other hand had a very good game. In particular, their number 8 and captain, Robin Scott, was outstanding and it was he who grabbed the Tynesiders first try.
Ryton already held a 3-0 lead at this point. Fly half Mark Elliot having slotted over a fourth minute penalty goal. Ryton took a lineout on the Tech 22 cleanly, the ball was then moved into the Tech 22 where the maul broke down. From the ruck the ball was passed to Scott who breezed through some non-existent tackling to score by the posts. Elliot added the conversion for 10-0. It was somewhat of a surprise that Ryton did not add to their lead before the break. Numerous times it looked like a score was on the cards, only for a pass to be knocked on or for them to be penalised within touching distance of the line. Tech threatened only very briefly, a move that started with James Masshedar, ended up with a spell of pressure in the Ryton 22, all to no avail however.
If Tech had started poorly in the first half, then the second half saw them tail off into oblivion. This was made all the more demoralising when it was revealed after the game by several home committeemen, that the Ryton faithful had deep concerns at half time. They felt they had failed to use the slight slope and handy breeze to their advantage. Certainly, they had probably been worth more than 10-0.
As it turned out, Ryton sewed up the match comfortably. Tech had got themselves on the board as early as the 7th minute of the second half, when Masshedar added a simple penalty. Ryton regrouped though, and following a good spell of possession, scrum half Adam Williamson was sent over. Elliot added the conversion.
Ryton were now into their stride and began to take complete control of the game. The final scoring act of the game came in the 62nd minute when following some more excellent ball retention, centre Stainsby scored. Elliot failed to add the conversion. Tech’s frustrations were beginning to express themselves on the pitch and following a bust up on 70 minutes, Thompson was sent to the sin bin for fighting. Ryton’s hooker Kristian Nicholson joining him.
Coach Peter Robinson’s rants after the match, which could be heard quite clearly from the pitch never mind the away dressing room, just about summed up Tech’s afternoon. One of few good points to be taken from the game was after the match when it was revealed that Chris Williamson, who’s knee injury had forced him to go off midway through the second half, was not as bad as originally feared. One hopes that he will be fit to face York at home next weekend, a game that Tech will go into with little to feel confident about.
Ryton 22
Tries: Scott (18), A Williamson (53), Stainsby (62)
Cons: Elliot (18, 53)
Pens: Elliot (4)
Tech 3
Pen: Masshedar (47)
Ryton
Smith, McCarten, Jackson, Stainsby, Moore, Elliot, A Williamson, Lawson, Nicholson, Reed, Parkinson, McKie, Kirtley, Watson, Scott (c)
Scrums 11, Attacking scrums 4, Scrums won on own put in 10, Scrums lost on own put in 1, Pens awarded 10, Kicked at goal 2 (1 miss), Kicked for touch 5, Ran 3, Lineouts won on own throw 10, Lineouts lost on own throw 5
Sin bin: Nicholson (70), Smith (80)
Tech
Masshedar, Knight (Robson), Cavey, M Richardson, Brown (Cole), Wilson, C Williamson (Knight), Palmer, Dixon, Thompson, Smart, Jukes, Campbell (Howard), Jones (c), A Richardson
Scrums 20, Attacking scrums 0, Scrums won on own put in 20, Scrums lost on own put in 0, Pens awarded 8, Kicked at goal 1, Kicked for touch 3, Ran 4, Lineouts won on own throw 9, Lineouts lost on own throw 7
Sin bin: Thompson (70)
Referee: Ray Sutherland (Durham)