Ponteland chalked up their second consecutive league victory, their third win in all, as they consigned a demoralised Tech to another disappointing defeat and at the same time, increased the difficulty factor of Tech’s bid to preserve their Durham and Northumberland 1 status.
Tech’s inability to turn pressure into points has been a feature of their season so far and unfortunately that unwanted characteristic was on parade again with Tech unable to deliver the killer blow when they had Ponteland on the ropes.
The signs that this was not going to be Tech’s day were apparent within the first 5 minutes. Having started brightly, Tech began to take Ponteland on upfront, a ploy that made good yardage and took Tech into the Ponteland 22. The ball was then released to Ashley Parker, whose chip through was gathered by Ponteland. The visitors swiftly moved the ball out wide and after some excellent running and offloading, winger Blow cut back inside to score under the posts. De Jager added the conversion and from being in a promising position, Tech were now 7-0 down.
Encouragingly though, Tech did not let this get to them and from the restart took the ball deep into the Ponteland 22. From a ruck that developed near the line, powerful second row Adam Howard picked up the ball and smashed his way over the line. Parker failed to convert but Tech were back in the game at 5-7.
Tech continued to dominate in the loose, and enjoyed large periods of play in the visitors half but could not make the telling move. Tech’s tactics were also beginning to cause concern. Having driven into the opposing 22 yet again, Tech were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Instead of taking the points that would have given them the lead and confidence to boot, they chose to run it. Predictably, Ponteland defended the attack and subsequently were able to clear downfield. Even more irritatingly for the home supporters was that Ponteland were the next to score, when following an infringement at the breakdown, De Jager landed a penalty goal to move his side five points clear at 10-5.
Tech were able to close the gap to two points on the stroke of half time however, when Parker finally hit the target after two earlier penalty misses.
Knowing that an early score was vital, Tech started the second half strongly and on 43 minutes were awarded a penalty. Parker slotted the kick between the posts to give his side the lead for the first time at 11-10.
But having worked hard to get themselves in front, Tech let themselves down badly by allowing Ponteland in for the softest of tries. Having worked their way into the Tech half, scrum half Raine passed back to full back Lee Oakes who set off on a seemingly innocuous run. Sadly, Tech’s defending was far more innocuous and the full back coasted home to score by the posts.
De Jager’s conversion meant that Ponteland now held a 17-11 lead, and as in the first half, Tech were behind having looked the more impressive team.
But having picked themselves up from this setback, Tech again found crossing the goal line an insurmountable hurdle. For 10 minutes they camped on the Ponteland line, trying valiantly to cross for the score but to no avail. Infact, it was Ponteland who came closest to scoring from this raid when following a turnover, the ball was moved swiftly downfield but with a try beckoning, play was stopped for a forward pass.
But with just 20 minutes to go, the momentum was beginning to shift in Ponteland’s favour and De Jager kicked his second penalty to extend his teams’ lead to 20-11.
Tech did have the final say however with winger Carl Brown scorching over following some patient build up play. In an attempt to avoid time wasting, Parker drop kicked the conversion but it mattered not.
Tech’s next game is at home to Acklam on the 4th of December. Before this result, it had been pencilled in as a huge game. Goodness knows what adjectives will be used to describe it now.
Tech 18
Tries: Howard (6), Brown (80)
Cons: Parker (80)
Pens: Parker (40, 43)
Ponteland 20
Tries: Blow (4), Oakes (48)
Cons: De Jager (4, 48)
Pens: De Jager (21, 60)
Tech
Cole, Brown, Cavey, Jones (c), Knight (M Parker), A Parker, C Williamson (P Williamson), Palmer, Dixon, Thompson, Jukes, Howard, Cook, Smart, Stockdale
Scrums 13, Attacking scrums 1, Scrums won on own put in 10, Scrums lost on own put in 3, Pens awarded 10, Kicked at goal 4 (2 misses), Kicked for touch 2, Ran 4, Lineouts won on own throw 6, Lineouts lost on own throw 2
Sin bin: Stockdale (78)
Ponteland
Oakes, Blow, Reed, Riley, Varley (c), De Jager, Raine, Steven, Chappell, Jobling, Freer, Bower, Ogilvie, Hughes, Harrison
Scrums 13, Attacking scrums 2, Scrums won on own put in 9, Scrums lost on own put in 4, Pens awarded 14, Kicked at goal 3 (1 miss), Kicked for touch 8, Ran 3, Lineouts won on own throw 9, Lineouts lost on own throw 4
Referee: P Wright (Liverpool)