TECH 21 v 7 BILLINGHAM
TECH got back to league action on Saturday when Billingham were the visitors top Grayfields. Despite the downpours of the previous week the conditions were remarkably good with the bright sunshine providing a beautiful early spring setting.
The home side had played only the friendly against Redcar since facing Ponteland in the league back on December 18th 2004. It was essential therefore that they got back into the groove as quickly as possible against a visiting side who had enjoyed victory over Ashington last week.
The game started with TECH playing down towards the Jesmond Gardens end of the pitch. Despite their period of inactivity they started very brightly taking play into the opposition territory. There pressure was quickly rewarded when after 5 minutes referee Derek ENGLISH penalised visiting prop BELL as he transgressed at a maul on the 10 metre line. James MASSHEDAR stepped up and confidently planted his kick between the posts to open the scoring.
TECH were playing with a lot of confidence and even when Billingham did attack the home defence looked very solid. On 15 minutes TECH were awarded another penalty. Full back MASSHEDAR this time saw his effort bounce back into play off the post. TECH and he were not to be denied for long though. From the subsequent scrum a good drive by the pack was just thwarted by Billingham but the ball was recycled and good passing saw it moved along the line to TECH's number 15 who crossed for a well deserved 'team' try. The attempted conversion went wide to leave the score at 8-0.
TECH continued to dominate proceedings with the pack consistently providing good quality ball for the backs who were being well marshalled by half backs, Paul WILLIAMSON and Ashley PARKER. With 20 minutes elapsed the home side added another penalty to their score when more desperate defending by Billingham saw them again handle at a ruck. The trusty boot of MASSHEDAR again made no mistake from 22 metres out. TECH were thwarted just a minute later. An exciting break by the home three-quarters saw the ball moved to skipper Steve JONES who set off on a scorching run deep into the 22. He was finally caught by the cover defence but as he was being driven into touch he cleverly put the ball into the hands of the tackler to win a line out for his side.
TECH kept up the momentum and when their next attack was brought to an end illegally they opted for a scrum. The visitors managed to stop the drive but a good pick up by Kevin COOK saw him brush aside the would be tacklers to cross for a try. MASSHEDAR again added the extra points to give TECH a 18-0 lead. On the half hour the home side again put together a good move but as CORRIGAN opted to try and kick in behind the defence he sliced it which allowed the visitors to survive. To their credit Billingham did try to make the most of the limited possession they were getting and the finished the half pushing forward but to no avail.
With just 2 minutes of the second period gone a late tackle on Chris KNIGHT saw TECH awarded another penalty but the kick went wide of the posts. A short while later a mazy run by Ashley PARKER saw him go deep into the visitors 22 before he was stopped. TECH continued to press but resolute defence mixed with a little good fortune allowed Billingham to hold out. They were though showing more desire to attack but TECH were in no mood to let them off the hook as the side gave their best and most committed display for some time. The visitors frustration started to show and their number 17 was given a harsh lecture by Mr. English for over vigorous rucking on a TECH players back.
One or two TECH players were showing signs of tiredness s the lack of games started to show and in quick succession they made 3 substitutions with MASON, COLE and Chris WILLIAMSON replacing HOWARD, MASSHEDAR and Paul WILLIAMSON. These changes obviously disrupted the flow somewhat but even when the visitors did attack the defence and discipline of the TECH players remained excellent.
Play had now become a mid field battle as both sides continued to cancel each other out. The balance was tipped towards the visitors though when TECH's Kevin COOK was given a yellow card for entering a ruck from the side. Although this gave a fillip to Billingham the 14 home players continued to tackle with great determination and they looked as though they would keep a clean sheet until 8 minutes from the en d when an attempted clearance kick by CORRIGAN was charged down. The ball bounced nicely for the attacking side who crossed for a consolation try which DURNION then converted. Despite this reversal TECH again drove upfield from the restart but the move came to an end as they lost possession in the visitors 22. Shortly afterwards Mr ENGLISH brought the game to a close.
This was an important and well deserved victory for the home side who due to recent postponements have two games in hand of the sides at the bottom end of the table. Although next week sees them make the difficult journey to York if they continue to show the same determination and combined work ethic they can look forward to more victories before the end of the season.