HORDEN 66 - 0 TECH
Despite showing commitment throughout TECH suffer heavy defeat ay hands of league leaders.

TECH had the benefit of a slight wind behind them as referee Steve HAVERY got the game under way. Unfortunately things started poorly as Horden drove forward and won the ball at a ruck. As the ball was moved quickly a knock on went unnoticed but to their credit it was picked up cleverly by the home player and from then on good handling saw them move the ball wide to the winger who crossed for the try. Andrew TURNER converted easily.

TECH were determined to compete throughout and quickly took play into home territory with some good forward play. The move came to a halt and when Horden won the turn over TURNER broke away but the move came to a halt when he ran into the referee who awarded a scrum. The hosts again won good ball and quickly moved the ball to the centres where a missed tackle allowed them through for a  try  by Priestley. Turner again converted.

This set the tone of the game as despite TECH's efforts, especially upfront each time the home side got the ball they looked dangerous as they moved it quickly. TECH though were battling gamely and determined defence kept Horden out. On 23 minutes TECH were reduced to 14 men when Andrew DIXON received a yellow card for coming in the wrong side of a maul. A minute later the hosts were also reduced to 14 when hooker Thirkell was caught stamping.

Horden extended their lead to 26-0 after 27 minutes when good handling and recycling of the ball eventually created space despite some determined defence.Turner missed the conversion. The game continued in the same vein and after 38 minutes the home side added to their total when following a TECH knock on their scrum half crossed for another converted try. This left the score at half time standing at 33-0  

   Despite all the pressure they were under TECH continued to try and play some good rugby based mainly around their pack who were competing well against the far bigger home eight. After 6 minutes a good kick took play to 5 metres from the home line. They then set up a good drive but this came to an end when the ball spilled forward.

TECH then suffered further disruption as Kevin COOK left the field having suffered a facial injury which needed treatment to stop the blood. Ritchie ROBSON went on as blood replacement.  At the same time TECH introduced Carl BROWN and Peter HUNTER into the game, Chris Knight and Phil JUKES being replaced.

After 19 minutes Horden again profited from a knock on. With Mr Havery unsighted by a mass of players the hosts again recovered and moved the ball well before the forwards drove over for a converted try. Two minutes later they again scored when another break by their outside centre led to him scoring. Turner continued his excellent kicking display with another conversion. They scored again minutes later when the home pack won good ruck ball taking the score to 59-0.

It seemed that it was just a matter of how many the home side would score at this stage. To the great credit the visitors continued to give their all and the hosts were having to work hard for every ball.

It then looked as if TECH's efforts had led to a well deserved try. The forwards won the ball and it was moved to fly half Mixie PARKER. He cleverly kicked to the left hand corner where winger Richard FOSTER won the race with the Horden full back to touch down. There were no protests from the home side but the referee decided that the winger had been in front of the kicker and the try was disallowed.

On the half hour pressure by Hordens pack 5 metres from the line saw the visitors penalised for handling in the ruck but the referee switched the penalty following a silly late charge by Thubron who was then yellow carded.

Horden completed the scoring when another swift break saw them cross for a converted try despite a desperate tackle by COLE.

The game finished with Horden having another player yellow carded when their openside flanker was penalised for lying on the ball.

Despite the size of the defeat all the TECH side gave their all and if they can concentrate on the positives of the last few weeks they can go into the final 3 league games hopeful of gaining some reward from what has been a difficult season.