The clocks have gone back and how Tech must wish that they had time twiddling powers of their own. Not for the first time this season, a lousy start and a lapse of concentration at a crucial time arguably cost the Hartlepool club dear after a rearguard performance of great spirit and character saw them come very close to claiming their first win of the season.

“It’s getting pretty boring now”, commented Tech’s club captain Andrew Dixon afterwards. “We have come close to beating several teams now but we just can’t seem to get the win”.

In conditions that were nothing short of blustery, Tech quickly found themselves up against it in the face of a determined Consett outfit. By the time 18 minutes had elapsed, Tech found themselves 22-3 down after some useful running and clever utilisation of a handy breeze saw the home team clinch 3 tries courtesy of Morris, Armitt and Lawry. Fly half Caverner, who played an important part in Consett’s victory converted 2 of these and also added a drop goal. With an early Jon Cole penalty (going over off the post and the bar!) accounting for all of Tech’s points, it looked like the Hartlepool club were going to be in for a torrid afternoon. But following the sin binning of second row Tomlinson on 32 minutes Tech took this opportunity to demonstrate what they were really capable of. David Cheshire made a superb break from the base of the scrum, darting through several would be Consett tacklers and with Paul Dove providing excellent support, the prop went over for the try.

But no sooner had Tech hit back at Consett, an unfortunate mishap saw the home side re-establish their 19 point advantage. Breaking from his own half, Tech skipper Steve Jones was tackled just inside the Consett half. He then somewhat dubiously decided to offload, misjudging the cries of a Consett player to those of his own teammates! Regardless of the reason, a turnover ensued and with Tech’s defence out of position the ball was moved to Will Foster on the wing who scored in the corner.

This incident seemed to spur Tech on and determined not to go into the break down by the 19 points they drove purposefully into the Consett 22. Then following some fine build up play Jones made amends for his earlier misjudgement by scoring at the corner. Cole’s valiant attempt at the conversion fell just short but with Tech having the advantage of the wind for the second half and the difference just 14 points, one could not help but feel that the result was now up for debate.

Crucially though Tech could not break down a solid Consett defence in the second half. Some handling errors, understandable in the harsh conditions, did not help but on the whole, Consett stood their ground well. Cole did manage to add his second penalty on 60 minutes but by the time Adam Ryan went over in the 79^th minute for his first league try for the club it was too late.

The performance of the visitors again did little to suggest that they are stuck at the bottom as the only club not to have won yet this season. Indeed, comments by several Consett officials after the game indicated surprise at the club’s predicament. Next up for Tech is a game at home to third placed Malton and Norton in a fortnight’s time. Whilst that may be a hurdle to steep for Tech the next 4 games after that are against North Shields, Redcar, Acklam and North Shields again, the 3 teams immediately above Tech. If these games can be won, and there is no reason why this can’t be achieved, then Tech will have 8 points come the New Year. Of course, the key word in that last sentence is if.

Consett 27

Tries: Morris (2), Armitt (10), Lawry (18), W Foster (38)

Cons: Caverner (10, 18)

Drop Goal: Caverner (15)

Tech 23

Tries: Dove (35), Jones (40), Ryan (79)

Cons: Cole (79)