|
|
|
 |
Hartlepool played up field in the first half against the wind, keeping the ball tight in a series of forward drives to keep the ball in the Castle half of the field. However, resolute defence by the visitors, kept the marauding Pool forwards from scoring early. The first try came from a clearance down field by Castle, which was well fielded by Patrick Wilson on the wing. Wilson then showed clever footballing skills to chip over the rushing defence before collecting the loose ball to power towards the visitors line before being tackled. Quick recycling by the energetic Pool forwards, with the front row of Brett Cullaine, Mick Hall and Steve Ward prominent, saw No 8 Dave Ryan, who was replacing the unavailable Alan Brown, power over to score close to the touchline. Despite controlling the majority of the first half, with Tom King once again impressing at scrum half, Pools were unable to increase their lead, which then saw the visitors make a break on the right flank to score completely against the run of play through their stand off, Kirk Thompson, who also converted. This try inspired the visitors who took control of the final few minutes, and deservedly scored a penalty in front of the posts for a half time lead of 10-5.
Strong words from captain Ian Bond at half time galvanized the Hartlepool team who then laid siege into the Barnard Castle half of the field for the majority of the second half. Flanker Andy Palmer was held up over the line, but Pools were unable to turn their pressure into the required points. A strong break from replacement Tom Johnson, took the ball close to the visitors line, with the exchange referee from America, Patrick Walsh, awarding Pools the put in. Surprisingly, Castle took the ball against the head whilst wheeling the scrum, however, flanker Suliano Tubuna intercepted the pass from the scrum half to fall over the line to score, and with Lewis Humble adding the conversion, Pools were now once again leading again. To their credit, Castle managed to work the ball up field towards the line before an unfortunate knock on allowed Bond to clear the danger. Pools then managed to steal their oppositions line out, with Bond going to the blindside to feed winger Standing, who chipped the last defender and beat the covering defence to score in the left corner of the field. Late on in the game, Pools had a couple of long range penalty misses which failed, kicking a third into touch where the referee blew for time.
This was not one of Pools best performances, which must go down to the efforts of the opposition. Man of the match for Hartlepool was Dave Ryan. Pools travel to Acklam next week looking to secure win number eight to keep them firmly at the top of the table.
|
|
|
| |
NEXT FIXTURE
Pre-season training
VENUE
meet Mayfield Park 645pm
DATE
Tuesday 23rd June
|
|
More Hartlepool RFC headlines
Support Your Club
Advertising on your club's official
website
Click Here |
Support Your Club
Advertising on your club's official
website
Click Here |
Support Your Club
Advertising on your club's official
website
Click Here |
|
|
Contact SportNetwork.net | Join Us: Official | Join Us: Unofficial | Advertise on SportNetwork.net | Complain | Our Links
