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TECH 24 - 8 RYTON |
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| Ryton were this
weeks visitors to Grayfields in a game that was crucial to TECH's attempts
to close the gap on the sides above them in the table. Games between the
two sides are invariably hard closely contested affairs and this was to
prove no different. TECH started the game with the advantage of the slope and with the strong cross field win slightly in their favour. They started at a furious pace and within the first minutes looked as if they would open the scoring. The ball was won and quickly recycled before being pased out to FOSTER on the left wing. He brushed past would be tacklers before being stopped just short of the line. It seemed likely that TECH would win the ruck but referee SAWYER decided they were holding on to the ball which gave the visitors the chance to clear. TECH kept up the momentum but were halted in the 22 but in the sixth minute they were awarded a penalty of their own as Ryton were adjudged to have gone over the top at a ruck. Ashley PARKER easily converted the penalty from 30 metres out. The game was becoming very much a stop start affair due to the number of penalties being awarded against both sides by the referee. Despite this both sides kept trying to get the ball wide whenever possible. On 13 minutes Ryton levelled the game as fly half LOWES converted yet another penalty. With both sides having difficulty playing to the match officials interpretation and implementation of the break down laws the game became a midfield battle. TECH though did seem to have the advantage but they couldnot turn this into points. After 26 minutes TECH again made good ground as a powerful run by prop Adam HOWARD took play into the visiting 22. They again could not capitalise and Ryton broke upfield but good defence kept the home line intact. After 37 minutes TECH suffered a major blow. As Ryton took play into the TECH 22 a ruck was formed at which prop THOMPSON was adjudged to have offended and Mr SAWYER opted to show him a yellow card. The official seemed to be in a conversation with TECH flanker Kevin COOK before, to the surprise of players of both teams and their spectators he showed him a red card presumably for something that was said. After the situation settled down Ryton put the penalty opportunity wide. Following the restart it was Ryton who found their numbers reduced as they had a player sin binned after it was decided he had stamped dangerously near a loose ball as a TECH player went to pick it up. The half time whistle went shortly afterwards giving everyone the opportunity to gather their thoughts before the second period commenced. |
The second period
started with TECH still down to 13 men so it was essential they
buckled down to the task at hand. They were given a massive boost after
seven minutes when Ryton were penalised for failing to release after a
tackle. Ashley PARKER confidently sent his difficult chance through the
posts to give his side a 6-3 lead. From the restart TECH scored again. Prop THOMPSON caught the kick off before passing inside to STOCKDALE who powered forward. The ball was moved to PARKER who linked up with skipper JONES. Good interpassing between the skipper and winger FOSTER then saw the latter sprint over for a fine team try. PARKER added the conversion to take the score to 13-3. The game was much less stop start in this half with less penalties being awarded against both sides.This led to it being a far more entertaining spectacle for those watching. Ryton tried to hit back quickly but TECH were deternined to keep them at bay with some resolute defence. After 15 minutes STOCKDALE had to retire with a leg injury that has turned out to be a broken bone. He was replaced by Anthony CAMERON. The home side then had a chance to extend their lead but Ashley PARKER saw his kick hit a post and rebound into play. He was not denied for long though as TECH won a ruck on the visitors 22. The ball was passed to the fly half who calmly dropped the goal to add another three points to his sides total. Shortly after this the influential number 10 had to leave the game due to pulling a hamstring. He was replaced by Chris KNIGHT. The visitors continued to try and get back into the game and they did so when a good break from their full back led to an unconverted try by THOMPSON taking the score to 16-8. After 32 minutes the home side opened the gap again when another penalty chance saw Jon COLE add the three points. The fourteen man TECH were displaying plenty of commitment and time and again their dogged defence kept Ryton at bay. On 40 minutes they sealed the victory with a try coming from an excellent break from the backs. The ball was moved to Nick DONNELY who went over for a well deserved try. Despite Jon COLE missing the conversion TECH played out time to record a well deserved and morale boosting victory. This was a fine performance by TECH with the only blackspots being the dismissal of Kevin COOK and the injury to Stephen STOCKDALE which will see him in plaster for several weeks.
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