NORTH SHIELDS 33 - 9 TECH



TECH travelled to North Shields looking to try and turn around their run of league defeats but in the end found them selves muscled out of contention as the home side literally played to their strengths, a massive pack.

The game started brightly for the visitors and after just a minutes play a high kick ahead by Jim DICKINSON saw TECH follow up quickly and trap the full back before he could clear. David CHESHIRE was injured in the process but quickly recovered. Unfortunately TECH were penalised at the 5 metre scrum for breaking early and the danger was cleared.

The game was being played mainly in mid field but on 10 minutes the visitors had first chance to open the scoring. Jon COLE unfortunately put his kick just right of the posts. On the odd occasions the home side opted to run the ball the TECH defence was looking quite solid and they themselves were pushing forward. Like many other games this season though they were unable to turn the pressure they had into points.

A warning of what as to come came as the home side took the lead after 18 minutes. A scrum 5 meters from the TECH line saw them driven backwards for No. 8 Shaun HANSEN to record the push over try. Centre TATE converted easily.

After 28 minutes TECH closed the gap when good pressure saw the home side handle at a ruck. Jon COLE closed the gap to 7-3 with a good kick. Two minutes later the same player closed the gap further when Shields were penalised for pulling down at a line out.

Both sides were looking anxious as they looked for the next important score. Unfortunately it went to the home side as the were awarded a penalty try. A scrum saw Shields use their bulk to start and push TECH back and as both front rows popped up the referee immediately went to the posts. The easy conversion took the score to 14-6. Right on half time TECH again hit back as COLE converted another penalty as the home pack again killed the ball at the breakdown.

It was important that TECH got back into the game quickly if they were to take anything from the game but despite their efforts to run the ball from most situations they could not find the key to unlock the home defence.

A major problem for the visitors was that every handling error played into the home sides hands allowing their pack to use their big weight advantage. They certainly made the most of this as each time they got a scrum within striking distance of the line they made it count. They added four further push over tries despite the best efforts of the TECH eight. On almost every occasion the tell tale line of stud marks left by the TECH forwards as they were pushed backwards showed there was no lack of effort on their part to stop the almost inevitable.

Despite being understandably down at the result TECH have got to pick themselves up quickly and get back to the sort of rugby they have played in many of their other games to date. There is no doubt they are stronger thanks to the addition of their recent signings and if they can learn to try and clear their lines by kicking instead of trying to run everything out of defence their pack is capable of providing good ball in more attacking areas.

With a free week next week it is up to all the players to knuckle down in training on both Tuesday and Thursday and come back strongly in their next home game against Redcar.