With the overnight rain causing the top pitch to be flooded, the game between North Shields and Hartlepool was played on the Mayfield Park second team pitch. Shields kicked off with Pool playing up the bank first half.

Adam Ainsley at 10 and Howie Murray at 9 where controlling things and Pool where playing with structure in attack and defence. After 15 minutes, Pool were reduced to 14 players when Andrew Woodward reacted to a punch thrown by his opposite number 6 and was yellow carded for retaliation . Pool and Shields then both narrowly missed a penalty each. Jason Norman made a fine break and combined with backs Adam Ainley, Kegen Thomas and Dave Chester. The final pass to Brian Osland was not made and the ball was cleared. Ainley received treatment for late tackle after the ball had been shipped on.

Pool took the lead 10 minutes before half time. Pool attacked blind from a scrum and Jason Norman made yards before Neil Stead and Andrew Small combined to make inroads in the defence, Karl Hansen and Michael Smalley then drove on before prob Andy Wray turned back the clocks to power over from 5 yards. Kegen Thomas added the extra 2 points to give Pool a deserved 7-0 lead.

Half time 7-0

With Dave White on for Neil Stead at prop, Pool started to push the away forwards around in the scrums. After 10 minutes North Shields started to take the game to their host and after a number of forward drives, they were awarded a penalty after Andrew Wray was penalised for collapsing a ruck. Wray was yellow carded and Shields took advantage of the numerical advantage to score in the corner. 7-5. Pool were then reduced to 13 players when Andrew Small was yellow card for descent.

A few weeks ago, Pool would have caved in but the home side despite having 2 players short, took the game back to North Shields and Pool penned the away side in their 22 metre line for 5 minutes. The graft and endeavour was rewarded when second row Karl Hansen charged down the ball to touch down under the posts. Kegen Thomas converted the extra 2 points to give Pool a 14-5 lead.

2 minutes later a great catch by full back Ath Burgon saw Burgon made yards and the forwards recycled the ball before Adam Ainley beat 3 players and shipped the ball to Jason Norman who then out paced the defence to score from 30 yards. Kegen Thomas conversion made the game 21-5.

Ainley with 20 minutes remaining left the field of play after another late tackle led to the stand off limping off and was replaced by Nathan Taylor, with Kegen Thomas moving to 10.

Shields attacked blind and a missed tackle saw the Shields flanker break through but a fine tackle by Ant Burgon stopped the break, the away forwards drove on and a try was awarded with the Shields player touching down. Brian Osland was yellow carded for descent reducing Pool to 14 players.21-10.

With 5 minutes remaining Shields scored a third but Pool controlled the final minutes of game and should have scored a 4 try but the ball was stolen from a ruck and the ball was cleared.

An excellent team performance from Hartlepool but the stand out performer was man of the match Anthony Burgon at full back who was making only his second appearance of the season. Burgon caught everything that was kicked at him and made yards in attack every time he got the ball.

Pool next week play Redcar at home in a re-arranged league game. If the real Hartlepool side that showed grit and determination on Saturday turn up next week, second placed Redcar will and can be defeated.

Wray, Small, Stead, Smalley, Hansen, Carney, Norman, Woodward, Murray, Ainsley, Chester, Thomas, Osland, Lester, Burgon,

Subs White, Graham, Taylor