Saturday saw TECH entertain already relegated Ashington in their last home league game of the season. Although scheduled for the normal 3pm kick off the game did not actually start until 3.40pm due to a mix up by the Referee's Society. The game was due to be officiated by John HESELWOOD but he had cried off last Sunday. Unfortunately a new allocation wasn't made leaving TECH with no referee for the game at 2.15pm. Thankfully a phone call to local official Dave SAWYER who didn't have a game as he was working solved the problem. Thanks to a very understanding householder for whom he was carrying out some repairs Dave was able to help out by agreeing to cover the game before going back to finish off the job. As it turned out the wait was well worthwhile for the Grayfields side as they romped to a very easy 58-7 victory against a spirited if outclassed Ashington side.

TECH started the game with the wind at their backs as they attacked the Jesmond Gardens end. Their first score came after just 4 minutes when good line out possession from Ritchie ROBSON, who was deputising for an under the weather Adam HOWARD saw the ball moved quickly through the backs. Skipper Steve JONES then easily cut through the defence for a try which James MASSHEDAR converted comfortably. Six minutes later the same player took the score to 10-0 as he converted a penalty from 24 metres after the visitors had been penalised at a ruck.

TECH looked certain to add to their total after 13 minutes when a good break saw the ball moved to Jon COLE who was clear only to find the referee had decided the pass was forward. The home side were not denied for long though as 2 minutes later a break by JONES resulted in the TECH forwards recycling quick ball. This was taken on by ROBSON who then delivered a scoring pass to scrum half Chris WILLIAMSON. MASSHEDAR was again on target with the conversion.

The young visiting side were finding the going tough but to their credit kept trying but the home side were in no mood to let them off the hook and on 21 minutes a powerful surge by Stephen STOCKDALE saw him force his way over for an unconverted try. Play then became scrappy as TECH made a few unforced errors in their eagerness to spread the ball wide allowing the visitors defence to keep them at bay. They held out until the 35th minute when good possession from the pack resulted in the ball being moved wide to full back MASSHEDAR who had joined the line. He broke through for a try which he then converted to tale the score to 29-0. Right on half time things got worse for the visitors when they were penalised  and from Chris WILLIAMSON's quick tap penalty the ball was given to Kevin COOK who strolled over for an easy score. MASSHEDAR again converted.

It took the home side only 5 minutes from the re-start to add to their score. More good recycled ball saw STOCKDALE gain possession before crossing under the posts to give MASSHEDAR the easiest of conversions to take the score to 43-0. Five minutes later another break from STOCKDALE on half way saw him breach the visitors defence. As ever Kevin COOK was in support to take the pass which saw him clear of the last man and he ambled over for his second try. Paul WILLIAMSON saw his conversion attempt into the strong wind come back off the bar.

Four minutes later Ashington gained some consolation for their efforts when they partly charged down an attempted clearance kick, replacement HENDERSON collected the ball and crossed for a try which fly half PHILLIPS converted.,

TECH then shuffled their side with Michael PARKER replacing MASSHEDAR and Nick VINCENT replacing Neil MASON. The reshuffle saw PARKER go to the wing with COLE reverting to full back while THOMPSON moved up to prop with VINCENT taking his place in the second row. The changes did not disrupt the TECH side and Kevin COOK added his third try as he gained possession on the visitors 10 metre line before outstripping the cover. Ashley PARKER's attempted conversion dropped short of it's target leaving the score at 53-7. TECH were still not finished and more possession from their dominant pack saw prop Andy PALMER receive the ball before crossing for an unconverted try. TECH were totally on top  and with the visitors suffering several injuries the game was brought to an early close with the score at 58-7.

This was a comprehensive victory against a poor Ashington side but it will have given TECH a timely boost before their Durham Intermediate Cup game at Billingham on Wednesday evening (KO 7pm @ Greenwood Road)