With two firsts yet to be accomplished by Tech on their visits to Northern’s home ground, Tech’s supporters arrived at McCracken Park yesterday hoping to see both accomplished. Unfortunately for the travelling faithful, whilst the first hurdle was successfully negotiated, namely their first ever points on this ground against Northern 1^st XV, witnessing their team’s first ever league win at the Newcastle location was ultimately thwarted.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the Hartlepool club as they enjoyed long spells of possession against one of the leagues undefeated clubs, but as has been the case for several games in the past, Tech were unable to capitalise on this wealth of possession. In games prior to this Tech’s problem has been the lack of a killer touch. Whilst it could be argued that this was again the case on Saturday, needless mistakes at crucial times also contributed to Tech’s downfall. When all was needed was a simple pass or clean catch following a pass the ball would either miss its intended target or be knocked on. Furthermore, Tech’s usually reliable lineout was a complete lottery. All in all Tech did not help themselves throughout the game and had such mistakes been reduced by just half, a completely different result may have been produced.

But the fact is that it wasn’t, and whilst the 30-13 score line probably flattered the hosts, they could claim to be deserving of their victory, taking their chances well to score four tries.

Tech full back Jon Cole had given Tech the lead after just 5 minutes when he slotted a penalty following an infringement at a ruck. Tech then went on to play the better rugby for the next 10 minutes with winger Foster looking dangerous. But then a moment of carelessness from the visitors cost them their lead and produced the game’s first try. Poor tackling in midfield saw Northern centre Olly Ward break through and with an overlap created, a try beckoned. Somehow Northern blew this opportunity but from a subsequent lineout, Northern stole the throw and Chris Stewart grabbed the try. James added the conversion.

Seemingly not content with helping out their hosts with one try, Tech endeavoured to repeat the favour and mere moments later on 20 minutes Northern had their second try. The hosts were penalised within the Tech 22 but Cole’s kick to touch was poor and failed to find the line. Northern countered from this and after being sent through several pairs of hands centre Ward was sent over by the posts. James again adding the extras.

At 14-3 down Tech began to hit back at their hosts and but for some careless lapses in concentration may well have grabbed a try back before the break. When Cole missed a relatively straightforward penalty on 23 minutes the restart saw Tech winger Foster produce an excellent mazy run to bring him within meters of the home line. It seemed the score was on but with the line within touching distance, Cheshire knocked on.

An injury time chance from a scrum also went begging for the visitors and when James increased his team’s advantage to 17-3 just 6 minutes after half time it appeared that the result was beyond doubt. But for a change, Northern bore the brunt of some bad luck and Tech nipped in for their first try of the match. Following a ruck on the Northern 22, excellent pressure from Paul Dove saw the Tech prop charge down John Shannon’s attempted clearance. Although there was then suspicion of a knock on by the prop as he went to pick up, a subsequent hack towards the Northern line put the home full back under pressure. His hastily made clearance was sliced to the corner and visiting skipper Jones then outpaced his rivals for the touchdown. Cole’s touchline conversion came back of the far post.

Aggrieved by the fluky nature of the try, Northern hit back and although James missed a penalty on 54 minutes he was on target a mere 3 minutes later to make the score 20-8. But Tech then decided that now was the time to demonstrate that they could put together a decisive play and after a penalty was kicked into the Northern 22, some surprisingly good lineout ball was passed through the backs and centre Dickenson broke through to score by the posts.

With 20 minutes to go and only a converted score separating the teams a tense finish loomed. But Tech’s Mr Hyde characteristics always seemed to be nearby and on 65 minutes some clumsy play from the visitors saw Northern fashion an overlap for Rob Thompson to score in the corner.

With the game effectively settled Northern grabbed a somewhat undeserved try in the 78^th minute. Kicking from their own 22, Tech full back Cole collected the ball and instead of clearing the danger he attempted to run the ball back. Onrushing Northern players quickly swamped the full back and following the inevitable turnover the ball was released to James Marwick for an easy score.

It had been anything but an easy afternoon for the hosts and Tech’s frustration at the fact that the score did not do their efforts justice was fair enough. But if the men in blue continue to be wasteful with their chances and careless with the game’s basics, unfair, lopsided score lines will be the norm and not the exception.

Northern 30

Tries: Stewart (15), Ward (20), Thompson (65), Marwick (78)

Cons: James (15, 20)

Pens: James (46, 57)

Tech 13

Tries: Jones (50), Dickenson (61)

Pen: Cole (5)

Northern

Heasley, James, Ward, Marwick, Thompson, Shannon, Dovey, Stewart, Kaczmar, Knibbs, Webb, Shippen, Krzysiak, Rigby, Turnbull (c), Subs: Pearson, Douglas, O’Sullivan (all used)

Scrums 12, Attacking scrums 0, Scrums won on own put in 10, Scrums lost on own put in 2 (1 against head), Pens awarded 7, Kicked for goal 3 (1 miss), Kicked for touch 4, Lines won on own throw 8, Lines lost on own throw 1

Tech

Cole, Foster, J Dickenson, Corrigan, Jones (c), Cheshire, Williamson, Dove, Dixon, Howard, Jukes, C Dickenson, Brown, Scott, Smart, Subs: Hunter, Bulmer (all used)

Scrums 13, Attacking scrums 2, Scrums won on own put in 13, Scrums lost on own put in 0, Pens awarded 17, Kicked for goal 2 (1 miss), Kicked for touch 12, Ran 3, Lines won on own throw 12, Lines lost on own throw 11

Referee: Malcolm Jarvie (Borders Society)