Northern Preview

By Dave Picken - April 5 2018
Northern Preview
It's our final home game of the season and a win against fellow strugglers Northern is a must if we are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation ....

Easter results mean we are now bottom of the league, and  almost certainly need wins from at least two of the last three games if we are to stand any chance of staying in the league. 

We are boosted by the return of Liam Checksfield, playmaker Gavin Painter and prop Adam Coates - both recovering after a three week layoff for concussion. 

Injuries and work commitments to key players have dogged us this season, but with winger Rob Thorn also available we will field a more experienced side than of late. 

Top try scorer Will Hilditch starts at full back with Gavin Painter at inside centre. Up front skipper Andrew Rollins continues at prop with Adam Bown at hooker and Adam Coates providing front row cover on his return to action.

Our lacklustre away form is largely to blame for our league position. It was summed up at McCracken Park back in December when a much changed side led 19-3 well into the second half and looking odds on for a try bonus point. 

Instead, we went to sleep for ten minutes allowing Northern to run in three tries of their own with the trusty boot of fly half Donal Collins taking his side to an unlikely 26-22 win. It looks like he will be missing for the visitors this week who lost 68-0 at leaders Alnwick last week.

That was with a side showing more than half a dozen changes because of Bank Holiday unavailibility (it's not just us who struggle to get players to travel even short distances). However, in their previous game Northern put  on a strong show at West Leeds only losing 36-27.

West: Will Hilditch, Liam Checksfield, Peter Youll, Gavin Painter, Rob Thorn, ZacSouthern, Matt Siddle, Alex Key, Adam Brown, Andrew Rollins (captain), Jake Linighan, John Bunter, Alex Barker, Scott Butcher, Andrew Turner.

Changes: Chris Atkins, Adam Coates, Adam Peacock.

Northern: Johnny Woodhead, Dan Matthews, Harrison Clark, Ben Smallwood, Chris Malley, 10. Alex Clark (capt), Ali Gray, 1. Laurie Troke, Liam Mullick, Cole Wilson, Patrick Douglas, Tom White, Phil Kay,  Chris Ure, James Millington,

Changes: Andrew Connor, Aaron Lawson, Michael Henderson.

 
Northern Preview
Posted by: Official West Hartlepool RFC (IP Logged)
Date: 06/04/2018 08:58


Re: Northern Preview
Posted by: old shepherd (IP Logged)
Date: 06/04/2018 16:08

GO WEST!

Re: Northern Preview
Posted by: Parental Unit (IP Logged)
Date: 06/04/2018 18:29

Massive effort required from now until the end of the season.

Re: Northern Preview
Posted by: LesterP (IP Logged)
Date: 06/04/2018 22:26

If we put in the same effort as we did at Dinnington plus get beyond the ball/ball carrier at the breakdown, this game will be ours; 2.5 Master Race on duty - should be enough.

Let's have some support out for our boys too please.

Stand fast lads - no surrender !

Re: Northern Preview
Posted by: old shepherd (IP Logged)
Date: 07/04/2018 17:54

Bit of a struggle at times. But, a bonus points win. I'll take that 😉. More of the same till the end of the season lads. GO WEST!

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