Tech will head to Ashington next Saturday in a buoyant and confident mood after a resurgent performance against Acklam saw them claim their second league victory of the season. Before Saturday’s match, much had been made about the fact that the game represented a crucial stage in Tech’s season and that defeat was simply not an option. After 80 minutes at Grayfields it appeared that Tech’s players had nodded their heads in compliance with such sentiments, as they turned in a dominant display to record a morale boosting and ultimately convincing triumph.

As for Acklam, they will now head into their next match against highflying York with some trepidation. Only in the last 10 minutes did they begin to exert real pressure on the home team, and by that time Tech were already safe at 27-0 up. A tricky month now awaits the Teessiders.

Tech demonstrated their intent from the first whistle, ploughing into Acklam, which resulted in a penalty after just 10 seconds. Ashley Parker pulled the attempt wide but he did not have to wait long for a second attempt at goal. Having secured good field position, Tech spun the ball wide where captain Steve Jones outpaced his opposite number Gavin Munkley to score the games first try. This time, Parker made no mistake with his goal attempt.

Tech continued to dominate in the loose, but as in recent weeks the finishing touch continued to desert them. Just when it seemed that another try was on the cards the ball would be spilled forward allowing Acklam to clear and regroup. But Tech did not let this dishearten them and continued to probe away at the Acklam defence, Paul Williamson impressing at scrum half with some excellent kicking. Time after time he chipped the ball over the Acklam defence from behind the scrum, placing pressure on the covering defenders and never allowing the visitors to escape from their own half. Eventually, Tech’s pressure brought some more deserved points when Ashley Parker struck a drop goal from just outside the 22.

Tech’s handling continued to be source of frustration for themselves and the home supporters however and it seemed at one point that Acklam may get to half time only 10 points down, but on 36 minutes Tech finally put together another fluent move and having fashioned some more space on the wing, Chris Knight darted home. Parker improved the score to give Tech a healthy 17-0 lead at the break.

Knowing that an early score could go a long way to sewing the game up, Tech continued to press after the break and 8 minutes in, it appeared that they had got the crucial score when number 8 Stockdale powered over the line. Impressively though, Acklam held the powerful back rower up, but from the resulting 5 metre scrum the same player demonstrated his disappointment at not getting the score at the first attempt as he picked up from the scrum base and blasted over the line.

Acklam tried valiantly to come back but even when they got themselves into one of the few good attacking positions they created, the lack of confidence in the team was glaringly obvious as good possession was frequently kicked away. Then from a scrum near Tech’s 22, the hosts scored the try of the game. The ball was released to Simon Cavey who burst through the initial tackle and took the ball up to half way. Drawing his man he fed Jones who set off with only the full back to beat. Jones cranked on the power to round the last man and stormed home for his second try.

With the game now sealed, Tech lost some of their discipline, this manifesting itself when Stockdale was sent to the sin bin for foolishly arguing with the referee. With the man advantage, Acklam enjoyed their first real spell of domination, this finally yielding a fine try for replacement winger Watson.

With the game nearly up, Acklam pressed for a second try and came very close to getting it when Ashley Parker baffled all in attendance by not clearing the ball from his own goal line, the blunder nearly leading to a try for Ashton.

But Tech’s defence was not to be breached again and when Acklam were penalised for crossing, Parker booted the ball to touch to complete a satisfying afternoon for the men in blue.

Tech 27

Tries: Jones (5, 57), Knight (36), Stockdale (48)

Cons: A Parker (5, 36)

DG: A Parker (15)

Acklam 7

Try: Watson (67)

Con: Ashton (67)

Tech

Knight, Cole, Cavey, M Parker, Jones, A Parker, P Williamson, Palmer, Dixon, Thompson, Jukes, Howard, Cook, Smart, Stockdale, Subs used: Robson, C Williamson, Subs not used: Campbell

Scrums 15, Attacking scrums 3, Scrums won on own put in 11, Scrums lost on own put in 4, Pens awarded 8, Kicked at goal 2 (1 miss), Kicked for touch 4, Ran 2, Lineouts won on own throw 17, Lineouts lost on own throw 5

Sin bin: Stockdale (63)

Acklam

Paine, Johnson, Salter, Davison, Munkley, Ashton, Nevison, Grey, Phoenix, Grainger, Savage, Cruikshank, Rowling, McGrath, Duffy, Subs used: Widdowson, Collins, Watson

Scrums 16, Attacking scrums 1, Scrums won on own put in 11, Scrums lost on own put in 5, Pens awarded 8, Kicked at goal 1 (1 miss), Kicked for touch 5, Ran 2, Lineouts won on own throw 6, Lineouts lost on own throw 3