PERCY PARK 65 - 0 TECH
TECH's game against top side Percy Park was always going to be a difficult task even with a full squad as they prepared to travel to North Shields on Saturday with a side already missing pack members Kevin COOK and Stephen STOCKDALE plus almost a full three quarter line including among others Paul WILLIAMSON , James MASSHEDAR and Chris KNIGHT. To make matters even worse they suffered three late cry offs with Ashley PARKER, Nick CORRIGAN and Andrew THOMPSON all being unavailable. These changes saw TECH line up with Mixie PARKER coming in at 10 whilst Richie ROBSON, usually a flanker lining up on the wing.
In heavy conditions the home side set off at an amazing pace as they threw the ball about using their quick backs and forwards to great effect. It took them only three minutes to open their account as TECH were penalised at a ruck, stand off RUTTER making no mistake with his kick. Shortly after this the visitors were again under pressure after they missed a kick to touch. Determined tackling quelled the attack but from the resulting scrum Park quickly moved the ball wide to the winger who cut through for a try which was then converted by RUTTER. TECH were under a lot of pressure but were displaying some determined defence but they conceded again when at a scrum five yards from their line the ball was allowed to squirt out the side allowing the alert home skipper DIXON to pounce on the loose ball and cross for an unconverted try.
After 20 minutes TECH's task became even harder. As the home side took play just inside the visitors half skipper Steve JONES and second row Phil JUKES sustained injuries that resulted in them leaving the field. The shoulder injury suffered by the skipper meant he was unable to return and he was replaced by Michael SIDDLE. JUKES was able to return to the action after a five minute break although the shin injury was clearly hampering his mobility.
Despite the disruption TECH kept tackling bravely with Stephen SMART being outstanding in both defence and with some strong forward surges. After 30 minutes though the home pressure again told as they created room for their open side flanker to score a converted try. Two minutes later TECH had an opportunity to open their account but Jon COLE's penalty from 12 metres inside the home half dropped agonisingly short of its target. To make matters worse the home side quickly broke upfield and a break by fly half RUTTER saw him cross for a try he then converted.
The second period was obviously going to be another hard slog for the visitors but they managed to keep the home side out. After 10 minutes good play saw TECH take play to 10 metres from the home line but the home defence held out and then minutes later second row Nick VINCENT received a yellow card for driving into a home player standing at the side of a ruck.
From this point it was going to be a case of TECH trying to keep the score down as much as possible and they managed to keep their line intact till the 19 minute when a mistake at the line out saw the home side quickly spread the ball wide for another converted try. They then added another 6 minutes later as home centre ASHTON took advantage of ball recycled from a ruck.
On 28 minutes a good visiting attack saw Simon CAVEY break and then kick ahead. Unfortunately the ball travelled into the in goal area where the home defender just won the race to the ball and touched down for a 22 drop out. Two minutes later the home side were awarded a penalty just outside the TECH 22 and they surprisingly opted to kick the three points. TECH were obviously tiring by this stage and it came as no surprise that the home side added a further two converted tries in the closing minutes to record a final score of 65-0.
Despite the heaviness of this defeat credit should be given to the much weakened TECH side for their attitude and commitment throughout the full 80 minutes. Whilst almost to a man they battled their hearts out throughout especially prominent were forwards Stephen SMART, Neil MASON and Andrew CAMPBELL whilst Simon CAVEY was the pick of the three quarters.