HARTLEPOOL RFC

Pool started as selected and captain Andrew Small lost the toss and pool played down the bank first half, in the first minute of play Adam ainley made a lighting break from the half way line but was stopped with a fine tackle on the five metre line. On the five minute mark, the home side was penalised and kegen Thomas pulled the kick wide of the posts. Whitby after being under the fish for ten minutes took the game to Sean wiles side and the away side had to defend for their lives, with Andy Wray, Andy Palmer and Davey White putting big hits in. From a line out on the half way line, the ball was passed along the line before Ian Mullivhill broke the tackle and looked favorite to score but was stopped with a fine tackle. Whitby came back into the game and dominated possession for ten minutes without pressing the pool line. Pool finished the stronger and Kegen Thomas penalty give pool a three points led. Adam Ainley made another break and his pass to Kegen Thomas was harshly given forward with Thomas certain to score.

The second half, saw Whitby put Pool under pressure , Andy Small stole the ball in the scrum and Patrick Wilson cleared the ball, Pool were reduced to fourteen men when lock Stu Hind was yellow carded for handling in a ruck and to make matters worse, Whitby took the lead two minutes later when Dylan Thomas clearance kick was charged down and the home side reacted first and touched down. Pool responded in the best fashion, Andy Palmer took fine line out ball and was driven forward, Jon Carney took the ball on but was felled with a high tackle and Whitby were reduced to 14 men. Pool kicked for touch and Karl Hansen was driven on captain Andy Small scored to bring pool back into the game . 8-10. Pool then continued to press their hosts and with 15 minutes they added a second try, pool put pressure on the line out
and Patrick Wilson reacted first to touch down 13-10. Whitby were using the bank to their advantage but full back Mathew Sprintall was equal to everything that was kicked to him. With minutes remaining, the pool backs attacked again and Jamie Nicol and Dave Chester combined, the forwards drove the ball on several phases and Patrick Wilson dug the ball out of the ruck and fed stand off Adam Ainley who cleverly chipped the ball over the defence to score under the posts. Kegen Thomas added the extra two points, 20-10. In the last kick of the game Whitby added a penalty to make the final score , 20-13 for a deserved away win.

Best for Pool in the forwards was Andy Palmer and in the backs new signing Adam Ainley capped a fine debut with a fine try.