TECH RECORD WELL DESERVED VICTORY
TECH  24  - 10  C0NSETT

It may have been a while in coming , but TECH deservedly recorded their second league win  of the season by beating visitors Consett 24-10 on Saturday.

The visitors arrived at Grayfields sitting comfortably 5th in the league with 28 points to their hosts 2.  Despite this gap it was TECH who were the better side  throughout and they fully earned their victory.

Kicking down the bank TECH started in a rush and took the lead within a minute. A clever kick ahead by WILLIAMSON was re-gathered before being recycled rapidly to COLE.  Full back Nick DONNELY joined the line and crossed for the try. Jon COLE missed the attempted conversion but it was still a great start for the hosts.

Boosted by their opening TECH pushed on looking for more points. On 6 minutes they kicked a penalty to within 5 metres of the visitors line. Unfortunately the throw was  not straight and Consett managed to break clear. Then a good kick ahead by DONNELY looked to have put the visitors under pressure but chasing player COLE was adjudged offside and again the visitors cleared. The home pack were faring very well against the much bigger Consett 8.Tthis resulted in Andrew DIXON taking a ball against the head from a scrum just inside the visitors half but TECH were unable to capitalise.

On 17 minutes the home supporters were given more reason cheer as their side stretched their lead. A clever break by scrum half WILLIAMSON saw him get in behind the defence and when the ball was recycled a cross kick to the left wing saw FOSTER gather before outstripping the defence to record a good score. COLE added the conversion to make the score 12-0.

Consett continued to try and use their pack to get them back into contention but determined defence by the full TECH fifteen was keeping them at bay. After 22 minutes the visitors had a chance to open their account when TECH were penalised for offside in their 22. From almost in front of the posts scrum half McCABE pulled his attempt wide of the mark.

On the half hour more determined defence by TECH seemed to have thwarted the visitors but prop THOMPSON was penalised at the ruck, receiving a yellow card in the process. Consett opted to kick to touch and from the resultant line out made the extra man count to drive over for an unconverted try.

Despite this set back TECH did not panic and their defence held firm. They also continued to show their attacking intentions whenever possible. On one such occasion a good break by Nick DONNELY took play to half way. The ball was recycled well but unfortunately a knock on brought the move to anend.

Right on half time a free kick to TECH led to them again stretching their lead. The quickly took the kick before good handling saw the ball moved out to left wing FOSTER, who again showed good pace and strength as he handed off a would be tackler before crossing for the unconverted  score. This left the score at have time standing at 17-5.

 The visitors needed to hit back quickly to try and get back into the game and they started quickly. A kick ahead took play deep into the home 22 and TECH were forced to clear to touch. From the line out the visiting pack drove forward but excellent tackling again kept them at bay time and again. As it seemed they would hold out TECH again transgressed at a ruck, as flanker BEST was penalised for handling on the ground. Before play resumed he received a yellow card again leaving TECH to have to battle on one man down. On this occasion although Consett again opted to use their pack the home defence stood firm.

TECH then opted to switch their formation as Ashley PARKER made a welcome return to action. He moved to number 10 with David CHESHIRE moving to 9 as scrum half Chris WILLIAMSON left the action after a good display.

TECH's determination not to hold on to their good position was shown time and again as all the players put their bodies on the line for the cause. This was shown to good effect when from an attacking scrum the visitors won possession only for their scrum half to be stopped in his tracks and then held up by Nick CORRIGAN resulting in a TECH scrum.

The home side then effectively clinched the game on 18 minutes. Good work saw them win good possession and move the ball to Ashley PARKER. A good dummy created the space he needed to break through the cover and cross for a comeback try. He then added the extra points with a fine conversion.

Consett then made changes as they introduced another big forward, Richard Armitt from the bench in an effort to get back into the game. Despite the boost he gave the visitors TECH were in no mood to slip up and they kept battling throughout. After 25 minutes TECH also made a change as Peter HUNTER came into the action replacing Colin DICKINSON.

After 31 minutes the visitors eventually managed to break through. Again it was their forwards who led the way with a rolling maul before the ball was recycled to the backs who crossed for they try. Mick KENT's attempted conversion was well wide.

Bouyed by this score Consett again tried to break forward but their impetus was stopped as Andrew DIXON took another strike against the head and TECH were able to take play back upfield.

Despite some anxious last few minutes as referee Paul CANDLISH played almost 8 minutes injury time TECH held on well to record a fine victory.

Although this win still leaves them bottom of the table the manner of the performance should give TECH a big boost. If they can continue to show the same appetite for hard work and determination not to concede point there should be a number of other wins to celebrate before the end of the season.