A mixed weekend for the various teams as matches were rain affected but all produced positive results with the 1sts and 3rds recording wins. The 2nd XI came unstuck atPark Drive against Wolviston and lost their 100% record with a disappointing display.
Jack Wilkinson took his side away toRedcarand the match was delayed due to rain and reduced to 38 overs. Redcar who were promoted last season have struggled so far and afterHartlepoolwon the toss they soon took control of the match and never relinquished that advantage. Hartlepool’s bowlers struck at regular intervals and it was only a defiant innings of 71 not out by professional Mohammed Saaed that allowed them to total 114 for 8 from 38 overs. That target was unlikely to threatenHartlepooland so it proved with good contributions from Alan Tebbett, Marc Symington and Craig Symington who is finding his form in great style. Hartlepoolromped home by 7 wickets to collect the 20 points for the win.
Peter Rhoden’s team faced their closest challengers in the league table at home to Wolviston and like the first team started late due to rain with the match reduced to 41 overs per side. Hartlepoolwere asked to bat and Stuart Rawlings soon had 3 wickets under his belt removing Prosser, Richardson and Gavin before the score reached 20. When Peter Rhoden and James Piper followed Hartlepoolwere in all kinds of trouble. Chris Harrison and Chris Smith began to stabilise things until a misjudgement from Harrisonsaw him run out after looking set. With the score still just over 50 Kevin Peek departed and it was left to Smith and Rory Gribbell to put a stand together. They demonstrated that patient batting was possible and loose deliveries could be punished as Hartlepoolsteadily climbed to over the 100 mark. After a patient 42 Smith was bowled in the 40th over as he attempted to push the score towards another batting point and Ahmad followed later that over leaving Gribbell stranded on 18 not out andHartlepool all out for a disappointing 121. Rawlings was the pick of the bowlers for Wolvistion taking 5 for 36 from 14 overs.
Chris Smith had success with bat and ball but finished on the losing team
Hartlepool needed early wickets but they couldn’t make the breakthrough despite once missed chance and Wolviston built steadily against the bowling of Ahmad, Peek and Harrison. Rory Gribbell made the breakthrough and soon after Chris Smith struck with 3 quick wickets to put a little pressure on the visiting batsmen. At this stage the standard of fielding let Hartlepooldown as misfields squandered runs when they needed to keep the pressure on. Despite another wicket for Gribbell Wolvistion got home with a couple of overs to spare and five wickets in hand. The defeat saw Hartlepool pick up just 3 points and lose their position at the top of division 2 Hartlepool 2nds v Wolviston 1sts
The 3rds overcame Thornaby at a wet and drizzly Park Drive on Sunday for a very good win and 20 points
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