Bishop Auckland won the toss and elected to play with the strong wind and the Mayfield Park slope first half.
The first half saw most of the game played in between the 22 metres line with defences on top. Bishop were trying to use the wind to their advantage but full back Dylan Thomas was equal to everything that was kicked to him. Brian Foreman on his seasonal debut, made 30 yards with a powerful run put was stopped with a last gasp tackle by the full back. Bishop took the lead after 15 minutes, with a fine penalty kick.5 minutes later, the ball was driven on by the Pool forwards and the backs handled before releasing Liam Lister who evaded the first defender but was bundled into touch 5 metres out. Pool were dealt a blow when veteran prob Andy Wray limped off with a calf injury and was replaced by Simon Bird. Pool had the better of the exchanges but the Bishop Auckland kicker has having a fine game and added another penalty to make it 6-0. Pool then went to sleep for 5 minutes and poor tackling led to the away number 7 scoring under the post, the conversion give Bishops a 13-0 lead. Another penalty gave the visitors another 3 points.
Despite being 16-0 down Pool were putting serious pressure on Bishops, with 10 minutes remaining Pool enterprise was eventually converted to points, the forwards won a line drove the ball on and Adam Ainley clever pass fed captain Andrew Small who charged for the line and flipped the ball to wing Liam Lister who powered towards the line and was held up but managed to touch the ball. Patrick Wilson conversion was missed to leave the score. From the kick off Pool were penalise at the Bishop Auckland marksman 4th successful penalty made the score 19-3 at half time.
Pool playing with the win, got the start they were looking for with a fabulous try from back row Jason Norman, Adam Ainley drifted pass was taken on by Norman who went on a mazy run beating 5 players before scoring under the posts. Wilson kick made in 19-11. Pool were well on top but were penalised for not releasing in the tackle and once again Bishop’s kicker extended the lead to 22-11. However, Pool were back in the game, 2 minutes later, Karl Hansen took the line out ball and was driven towards the try line and captain Andrew Small was driven over to score in the corner. 22-16. Pool them scored a 4 th try and an all important bonus point. Wilson pin-point kick brought Pool 10 meters from the line out. Stewart Hind won the line out and was driven towards the line and Thomas Johnson went blind to score the in the corner to bring the game level 22-22 with 10 minutes remaining. A similar move, saw Pool secure the line out and the ball was driven on and Andy Small was touched down to score the winner and Pool’s 5 try. With 4 minutes remaining, Pool controlled the game and Wilson penalty was kicked into touch to cap a superb team performance.
The coaching team of Sean Wiles, Jon Norris and Peter Iverson will be looking to keep the form going in a week on Saturday time, when Hartlepool travel to Yarm.
On the second team pitch, a strong Hartlepool second team beat with Houghton II 43-0.
IST xv v Bishop Auckland
White, Small, Hind, Hansen, Carney, Norman, Johnson, Greensmith, Ainley, Chester , Foreman B, Wilson, Lister, Thomas.
Subs Bird, Williams, Mullvihill