Well this game could not be described as a ‘dead rubber’! Guisborough needed a victory to be crowned champions of Durham and Northumberland Division 1. Hartlepool Rovers needed points to avoid relegation from the same league. Their current form belied their league position, with 8 successive victories including against Sunderland and Novocastrians.

A large crowd, with at least 100 supporters from Guisborough, nervously watched on as Rovers kicked off proceedings in sunny, but windy, conditions.

The opening period was evenly contested. Rovers had plenty of possession, but a resilient defence did not allow the home team to break through. The gusty wind was also making passing and handling difficult.

After soaking up a series of attacks by the home team, Guisborough were awarded a penalty which was kicked downfield to within 15 metres of the hosts’ try-line. The visitors’ forwards won possession at the line-out and a catch and drive was illegally brought to a halt. A further penalty from a similar catch and drive saw Rovers given a warning by the referee. From this infringement, a kick to touch brought another line-out. Rob Leggott caught the ball and an initial drive took his team further forward, before the ball was shipped along the backs to Tom Pajak. An inside pass to Phil Shields broke through the defence. Oil Muir made yards, before a neat pass to George Speakman released the scrum-half to sprint over and score the first points of the afternoon.

Confidence in the team was visible and a counter attack from their own half saw Leggott running through the midfield. Quick ball along the back division resulted in Jannie Jacobs making inroads, before a neat inside pass to Pajak gave the winger the space to score his team’s second try.

The visiting supporters thought that their team had scored their third try. A training ground move saw Jannie Jacobs come off his wing and puncture the midfield. A pass to Alex Ruff released the centre to touch down under the posts, but the referee had spotted a forward pass.

Just before halftime, a misplaced pass allowed Rovers to take play up to the Guisborough try-line, but a handling error allowed the visitors off the hook.

The error brought the first half to an end, with the scoreboard reading: Hartlepool Rovers 0 points, Guisborough 14 points.

The second half started with Guisborough taking control of the game. A strong run by Pajak through the midfield was stopped when a Rovers’ player took a heavy knock and had to be helped from the field.

Continuing forward momentum, a kick behind the Rovers’ defence was collected by a home team player. Running out of defence, he was brought to a shuddering halt by a Ben Buckworth tackle. Under pressure, the ball was knocked on and picked up by Matt Rawlinson. A diagonal run to the left hand corner by the centre saw him link up with Phil Shields. The nippy full-back jinked inside and scored near to the posts.

Enjoying their running game, Alfie Barber broke from his 22 metre area and strove forward. Shields was on hand again to head towards the opponents’ 22 metre area, but was brought down with a high tackle.

Rovers managed to win their own penalty from the resulting line-out and a break from their backs looked to have penetrated the away team defence. However, Leggott stopped a potentially dangerous attack with a tap-tackle.

A further setback to the hosts came in the form of a yellow card, reducing their numbers to 14. However, it seemed to galvanise their players and, as the team entered the Guisborough 22, a penalty was awarded in their favour. Quickly taken, the visitors’ defence was breached and Rovers scored their first points.

Guisborough attacked from the restart, but wasted an opportunity to stretch their lead with a handling error.

With time running out for the home team to get the points needed to avoid relegation, they attacked in the Guisborough 22. The away team defence held firm, even when reduced to 14 players, when Leggott was yellow carded.

The final whistle was met with celebrations by the team and their supporters. A hard fought encounter had ended with the scoreboard reading: Hartlepool Rovers 7 points, Guisborough 21 points.

All three tries were converted by Speakman, in difficult conditions.

The result was what the team deserved. However, there were teams within the team that performed exceptionally. It has to be mentioned that the front row of Sandy Turner, Connor McFarland and Michael Henderson never retreated an inch in the set piece against seasoned opponents.

A special mention also for the coaches Gareth Lodge and James Clarke, who have gathered a squad that can cover each other when players are missing, and of course superbly led by captain Matthew Flint

Season 2024-25 will be tough in the higher league, but who knows what these players are capable of.

Well done to all players involved in the championship-winning season.
Photo by Jerry Mad

Footnote
Commiserations to Hartlepool Rovers they will bounce back also to Sunderland no doubt will be championship favourites next season all with good wish's from GRUFC.