ASHINGTON  6  - 26  TECH
TECH's climb from relegation zone continues

Buoyed by the victory over Acklam in their last league outing TECH travelled to Welfare Park, Ashington intent on recording another win as they fight to pull away from the  Durham/Northumberland Division 1 relegation zone.

Saturdays hosts have been suffering a desperate season and the Grayfields side knew that they must  make the most of any chances that came their way. The home side have regularly caused problems for TECH in other seasons but despite this and the fact that they too have been struggling they travelled in confident mood.

In still, overcast conditions Ashley Parker kicked off the game for TECH. Within two minutes he had another important kick to take, this time a penalty as the home forwards were penalised at a ruck. His kick from 26 metres sailed over to give the visitors a perfect start.

From the kick off Phil JUKES collected well but with the support slow to get to him the home pack drove TECH back into their 22. As the maul collapsed the referee adjudged the visitors to be responsible and awarded a penalty to Ashington. Before the kick could be taken play was held up for JUKES to receive treatment to a facial injury sustained as he was stood on. The home fly half then added to 3 points to level the score.  

From the restart the visitors again drove upfield. The good work by the pack eventually saw them stopped just a yard short of the line. Although they survived this Ashington fell behind again a minute later as they gave away another penalty. Ashley PARKER again made no mistake. He added 3 more points after 9 minutes with another penalty from 32 metres.

Although ahead TECH were still showing some nerves which resulted in them committing a number of unforced errors as they looked to strengthen their grip on the game. To their credit the home side kept pushing forward, especially through their pack. In this period they were awarded several penalties but rather than take the points on offer they opted to kick for position and good defence kept them at bay. From one such phase of play defence was turned into attack as Steven STOCKDALE made a storming break from inside his own 22 to the half way line before he was brought to ground. Unfortunately his good work was wasted as TECH were penalised for diving on the ball as the ruck was formed.

After 26 minutes TECH added to their total. An Ashington kick ahead was well taken by prop, Andrew THOMPSON. He made good ground before TECH won the resulting ruck and recycled the ball to Ashley PARKER. The fly half then showed excellent vision as he sent a perfect cross kick from his position on the right of the pitch over to left wing.Jon COLE   happily fielded the kick before outstripping the defence for the try. Ashley PARKER then added the two points with another confident kick.

The rest of the half saw play ebb and flow but even when the hosts built up some good forward pressure TECH kept them at bay with some solid tackling. The home side did reap some reward when on 33 minutes their fly half kicked another penalty taking the score to 6 - 16 which was how it remained up to half time.

TECH knew that it was important for them to get another score to take some of the fight out of the  home side but their early efforts were thwarted. After 5 minutes an attempted drop goal from the TECH fly half PARKER missed it's target. A minute or so later the same player was the victim of a late tackle which resulted in the home side being reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes. Unfortunately the No 10 could not exact full retribution as his kick went just right of the posts. He did not have long to wait to atone for this though as another penalty was awarded against the desperate home defence. His successful kick took the score to 6-19.

TECH had clear superiority in the back division but good play from the pack was all too often spoiled by taking the ball on too many times instead of spinning it wide. The extra pace of the visitors backs was plain to see after 20 minutes of the half. A home attack was brought to a halt by a good tackle from Jon COLE. As the home player tried to keep the ball alive his pass inside was intercepted by Simon CAVEY who easily outpaced the attempted cover before crossing for the try.Ashley PARKER again converted confidently taking the score to 6-26.

With the game almost certainly safe TECH then made two changes in quick succession. The first saw James MASSHEDAR come on for his first action since sustaining an ankle injury back on 11th October. He replaced winger Carl BROWN. Two minutes later skipper Steve JONES was replaced by Richie ROBSON in the back row. The game continued with neither side making any real chances to alter the score despite lots of endeavour. Just after the half hour TECH made another change as Chris WILLIAMSON replaced brother Paul at scrum half. The latter had given another excellent performance at the base with his talking to his forwards being a major plus.

TECH then had another chance to add to their lead as the hard worked home defence were again penalised. TECH's fly half PARKER saw his effort travel wide of it's mark. The home side were then reduced to 14 men once again when a dangerously high tackle on Stephen SMART resulted in another yellow card. From the resultant tap penalty the ball was moved to Ashley PARKER but his grubber kick in behind the defence was touched down by a home defender before TECH could capitalise.

In the final few minutes the home side had another player yellow carded.  James MASSHEDAR tackled the outside centre  in to touch but  then the home player reacted by throwing punches. TECH were unable to add to their total and the game ended with the score at 6 - 26.

Although TECH were nowhere near their best form this was a highly important victory for the side. With their confidence growing they travel to Ponteland at the week end looking to avenge the defeat suffered just a few weeks ago. If they approach the game in the right fashion there is no doubting they can make it a hat trick of consecutive victories.