TECH 14 v 19 YORK
After their recent below par results a good display against league leaders York on Saturday was almost as important as a victory. As it turned out a victory was just out of reach due to a couple of wrong options being taken but the performance was a major improvement with every player giving his all throughout.
In the week leading up to the game TECH had received a major boost with the availability of scrum half Barry CORBETT and number 8 Stephen STOCKDALE for the first time this season but this was counter balanced by the loss of another experienced forward Andrew RICHARDSON who has taken up employment abroad and is likely to miss the rest of the season. Another blow in the build up was the withdrawal of Ian WILSON which meant that Mixie PARKER moved in to number 10 to cover the continued absence of brother Ashley.
The game started with the home side playing towards the Jesmond Gardens end of the pitch with the diagonal wind being in favour of the visitors. It was important that TECH started well against the unbeaten York outfit and they did just that. An early scrum saw the home eight get on an excellent shove as they drove a shocked York backwards. This was a fillip to all the side and they kept up the pressure on the visitors line. On 8 minutes they came close to scoring when Mattie RICHARDSON was stopped just short but he and TECH were not to be denied long. 2 minutes later the forwards set up good ball and a clever cross kick to the right wing by Barry CORBETT was well collected by RICHARDSON who crossed for an excellent try. James MASSHEDAR saw his kick into the wind fall short.
The game continued with both sides looking to be positive but good defence saw the score remain at 5-0 to TECH. After 22 minutes TECH had a chance to ad to their score but MASSHEDAR's penalty attempt from 30 metres out drifted agonisingly wide of the target. York though showed why they have been so successful when just 3 minutes later they seized upon a poor defensive kick and quick handling and interplay from their speedy backs saw centre BASS cross for a try. The same player saw his attempted conversion go wide.
Despite getting back on terms the visitors were still rattled especially up front and on 35 minutes a blatant trip by prop ALLEN on a TECH player who was going past him resulted in him being yellow carded. 4 minutes later he was joined by his hooker, SHARP who received the same punishment for diving over at a ruck. Although they had the upper-hand numerically this disruption did not totally help TECH as the scrummages had to go to non-contested affairs at a time when they had actually taken balls against the head. There was no further score and the sides reached half time with the scores still level.
TECH again started well and after just a minute of the second period a good drive by Stephen SMART forced the visitors into killing the ball. MASSHEDAR coolly slotted the penalty to give his side a 3 point lead. Both sides continued in the same vein but the defences still held firm until after 11 minutes the visitors were again penalised at the scrum as the tighthead prop was boring in. MASSHEDAR made no mistake from 22 metres out.
TECH continued to look well organised in defence but after 25 minutes they were caught out as the visitors won a line out following a good clearance kick by CORBETT. York then again moved the ball to their backs who again showed pace, good handling and changes of angles to create a gap for BASS who crossed for his second try. This time he made no mistake with the conversion. Again the home side hit back quickly as they were awarded another penalty which MASSHEDAR again coolly slotted over.
Unfortunately just after this the reliable full back had to leave the field having damaged ligaments as he turned his ankle as he chased a kick ahead, an injury which is likely to keep him out for several weeks. This resulted in youngster Matty DENT coming on as replacement in his first outing for the club. Before the side could settle down the visitors got the decisive score. TECH had the opportunity to kick the ball clear but opted to try and run it clear. This resulted in a knock on and from the resultant scrum the visitors won the ball and created another opening from which they scored a converted try which, much to their relief took the score to 14-19.
TECH were obviously dispirited by this late score but they continued to battle well but the vital break through would not come and York held on to record what for some time looked an unlikely victory.
Despite this loss this was the first time since their defeat of Hartlepool that the home side had shown anything like their true form. With no 1st XV game next week the coaches will be looking to build on this performance as well as hoping for several injuries to clear up before the league visit to Billingham on 23rd October.