Hartlepool will travel to Redcar this Saturday to meet one of the promoted teams from last year.  Jack Wilkinson's team have yet to really perform to their best but the last few weeks have shown great promise.

The victory over Stokesley at the end of April proved to be a false dawn when the team travelled to Guisborough last weekend.  The bowlers struggled to make an impact as Guisborough piled on a score of 250.  However the batsmen were able to respond with Neil Coverdale making an excellent 82 in the second innings.  The match was drawn with Guisborough taking the lion's share of the points.  That result didn't bode well for the Bank Holiday fixture against a powerful Richmondshire team who came to Park Drive as reigning champions.  Hartlepool were weakened due to regular players being unavailable and had to draft in second team regulars Chris Harrison, Chris Smith and James Johnston.  The match turned out to be a thriller with Hartlepool just failing to overhaul the visitors total of 218 for 7.

Callum Prosser picked up his first wickets of the season and Chris Smith overcame a nervous start to pick up 3 wickets, one thanks to a spectacular catch in the deep by Marc Symington, one of the best ever seen at Park Drive.  Richmondshire have suffered one defeat this season but looked in little danger of losing this encounter until the last 15 overs when Craig Symington attacked the bowling aided by brother Marc and James Johnston. Craig made an excellent 87 not out and almost took his team home as 15 runs were taken from the final over as Pool ended 215 as the match was drawn leaving spectators thorughly entertained by the cricket.

So this weekend Redcar provide the challenge and Hartlepool will be keen to impose themselves on a team who have so far struggled in the Premier League this season.  Tom Urwin is the main batsman and the very experienced Mohammed Zahid is a seasoned professional and his left arm spin will be a challenge on the low bounce normally seen on Redcar's wicket.  The confidence gained by batsmen and bowlers in recent weeks should ensure that Hartlepool make no mistakes in the search for 20 points.

Peter rhoden's 2nd XI have started the season as strong contenders for promotion with 4 consecutive victories.  Last week was the closest with a depleted team still managing a victory by 15 runs at Redcar to give them 80 points out of 80 and a perect start.  Saturday sees Wolviston 1st XI provide the opposition and a strong performance will be needed to maintain that record.  Wolviston has a mix of experience and youth and remain a competitive club in the NYSD.  Home supporters will be hoping that Hartlepool have enough strength with both bat and ball to come out on top.

John Houghton's 3rd team entertain Thornaby on Sunday with Jake Richardson in good form this year following his century with a half-century away at Yarm last week.

First XI v Redcar AWAY Wilkinson, Rickard, Symington M, Symington C, Coverdale, Prosser C, Cannon, Wiggan, Arif, Mitchell, Yuill
Meet club 11:45
Second XI v Wolviston HOME Rhoden, Johnston, Prosser L, Harrison, Peek K, Boyd, Piper, Gribbell, Ahmed A, Shurmer, Smith
Meet 12:30
Third XI v Thornaby HOME Houghton, Ahmed H, Ahmed T, Mole, Cunliffe, Richardson, Barnard, Peek D, Hussein, Playfor, Walker
Meet 13:30