Coach Tony HORSFAL had to make wholesale changes in his back division due to injury, suspension and non-availability bringing Steve WELTON back into the centre and Robert PYLE was filling his position on the wing. The pack was also changed due to an injury saw Martin WOOD being replaced by Jack DORAN in the second row. He also introduced centre Jack HARDING on the subs bench to make his first team debut.

The weather was bright and cold with a strong cross field breeze blowing down the pitch. Winlaton won the toss and elected to face the elements and the slope in the first half. Unfortunately due to injuries and last minute cry offs Hartlepool BBOB were only able to field 14 players. But as the old adage says you can only play what is in front of you and Winlaton did just that.

From the kick off Hartlepool made the best start and took the game to their hosts and for 5MINS they were encamped in the Winlaton 22 and with a series of lineouts and mauls they came close to crossing the Vulcans line but disciplined and aggressive defence thwarted their attempts to convert the pressure into a score.

On 6MINS Winalton through the forwards broke the strangle hold with Lee HARVEY and Stewart TRELOAR making bullocking runs up field and when stopped the ball was quickly recycled and Steve’Socks’ WELTON was on hand to finish off an excellent passage of play(5PTS) the conversion kick by Adam HOUSTON being narrowly missed.
On 10 MINS the Vulcans broke out of their 22 again and a slick three-quarter movement through several pairs of hands saw full back Mark SEDDON bursting into the line to finish off and score a spectacular unconverted try (5PTS).
At this stage of the match Winlaton were totally dominant in the set piece and combative at the breakdown and they took their try scoring opportunities with both hands.

On 15MINS another forceful run by TRELOAR broke through the BOBB defence and HOUSTON backing up took the ball at pace and finished off the move (5PTS) + (2PTS) kicking the conversion himself.

From the restart Winlaton ran the ball back at the opposition defence and SEDDON broke through and TRELOAR on his shoulder took the pass and scored under the posts (5PTS) + (2PTS) HOUSTON again kicking the conversion giving the Vulcans a four try bonus point.

It was more of the same and as the game continued in the same vein on 22MINS another three quarter moment and break by SEDDON saw PYLE take the pass on the half way line and outpace the cover defence and score under the posts (5PTS) + (2PTS) HOUSTON kicking the conversion kick.

Early in the next quarter unfortunately saw Hartlepool reduced to 12 men through injury and as a result made life easier for the Vulcans who through David SCOTT scored another unconverted try (5PTS) on 32MINS and on 35MINS after another good break again by SCOTT and Kris LAUDER running almost the whole length of the pitch saw winger Liam BOOTH finish off the movement (5PTS) + (2PTS) HOUSTON kicking the conversion again.

HALF TIME 43PTS -0PTS

The second half continued with the same pressure and after a scrum on the halfway line on 45MINS was won the ball was moved quickly along the back line and HARDY coming on from substitute jinked and swerved past several defenders to score his debut try (5PTS) + (2PTS) HOUSTON converting.

For the next ten minutes Winlaton lost their impetus and concentration and the ‘bad habits’ of old surfaced again and they began to concede needless penalties and allowed the courageous Harlepool side to get into the game. After a number of forward drives their endeavour and spirit was rewarded when Matt THURTON forced his way over for a deserved try on 57MINS (5PTS)the difficult touchline kick being missed.
This seemed to re-focus and galvanise the Vulcans and a typical forceful barging run by Lee HARVEY on 60MINS handing off several would be tacklers saw him finish off an excellent individual try (5PTS) + (2PTS).

With HOUSTON dictating the play acting as the fulcrum it kept the game moving and for the last quarter of the game saw the Vulcans scoring at regular intervals. On 65MINS another move which passed through forwards and three quarters saw PYLE again finishing off the move to score a converted try (5PTS) + (2PTS) HOUSTON converting his kick.

Then a brace of tries by WELTON on 75MINS and 77 MINS after a couple of strong runs were scored (10PTS).
The final move of the game on 79MINS saw PYLE gather the ball in his own 22 and run almost the whole length of the field to score(5PTS) + (2PTS) HOUSTON converting the kick.

All credit must be given the Hartlepool Boys Brigade Old Boys who despite their depleted numbers never gave up and kept competitive to the final whistle.

FINAL SCORE 81PTS -5PTS

Man of the Match Adam HOUSTON