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BILLINGHAM 22 - 19
TECH |
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| A much
depleted TECH side travelled to face Billingham on Saturday in the Durham
Intermediate Trophy. To the credit of the entire side they played their
hearts out in atrocious weather conditions only to finally succumb 22-19.
The game started with the visitors having first use of the wind as they played towards the clubhouse end of the ground. Within a very short time they took play deep into the home 22 as winger Jon COLE used the wind to good advantage. Although Billingham managed to take play back up field TECH were not to be denied for long. On 5 minutes an excellent break by scrum half Barry CORBETT saw him cause havoc in the home ranks. Number 8 Anthony CAMERON was up in support quickly and drove on before delivering a well timed pass to COLE who crossed for a try which he then converted. Despite the driving rain both sides were trying to play open rugby though it was TECH who were having the best of it territorially. Unfortunately they were unable to add to their total and after 11 minutes the home side hit back. They set up a driving maul in the TECH 22 and when they produced the ball KAWA -KAMENI crossed for an unconverted try. Both sides were finding the conditions difficult to contend with and many moves were brought to an end as the very greasy ball caused a number of knock on's. Despite this the game was proving an excellent contest. TECH though kept trying to move the ball between forwards and backs as they attempted to add to their total. Despite all their efforts Billingham defended stubbornly and the sides reached half time with the score still standing at 5-7 The second half started with Billingham looking to use the wind to their advantage just as TECH had done. After just 5 minutes they were awarded a penalty on half way which they kicked deep into the visitors half. They then made the most of good possession as their big forwards set up another driving maul which ended in them crossing for an unconverted try. |
Despite
this reversal TECH did not let their heads drop and they drove play back
deep into the Billingham half from the re-start. Despite their efforts the
home side kept them out with some dogged defence. After 11 minutes TECH gained reward for some powerful forward play. After winning possession the pack set up a superb driving maul that had the home side going back towards their line at pace. In their desperation to stop the drive they then pulled down the maul and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try. Jon COLE added the conversion to take the score to 10-14. The game was again see sawing to and fro as both sides tried for the next score but with both sides tackling determinedly neither could make the vital break through. As the full time whistle approached both teams were anxious that they did not make any mistakes. Unfortunately for TECH it was they who broke first when on 37 minutes they lost possession from a line out in their 22. The home forwards gathered the ball and again used their pack to drive over for an unconverted try. Just 2 minutes later TECH fell even further behind when yet another driving maul by the home side resulted in a try. DURNION this time added the extra points. TECH could have been forgiven for letting their heads go down at this point but they should great grit and determination to again take play into home territory. Another good run by CORBETT led to the forwards taking over and after a good concerted drive by the pack hooker Andrew DIXON went over from close range. Jon COLE saw his attempted conversion miss the target. In the final minutes TECH tried to save the game but Billingham regained possession to hold on for a narrow victory.
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