Hartlepool Rovers 30 Novocastrians 21

The Whites built on last week’s battling second half display at Ponteland to take a try-scoring bonus point win after running in five tries.

Rovers trailed 7-0 after only three minutes when Josh Wright burst clear and Ben Smith finished off and also converted.

Rovers pulled five points back when James Evens got on the end of a Liam Austwicke kick through to the line.

The hosts took the lead on 22 minutes when Tyrone Church was first to a stray ball from a lineout in the Steetley Corner and the lead was increased to 15-7 when Danny Baxter finished off a pack drive to the line.

The Friaragemen started the second half well and Ian Coulson crossed for the try-scoring bonus point after 49 minutes.

A try by Wright and Richard Dodd’s conversion cut Rovers’ lead to 20-14.

The White Shirts hit back to lead 30-14 with a solo try by Adam Smith and the conversion and a penalty by Coulson. Smith looked to have no way through to the line but he shrugged off some heavy challenges to reach it and ground the ball.

James Parkinson touched down in stoppage time in the Railway Corner, Dodd’s conversion bringing the final whistle.

Rovers: Gunn, Coulson, Grand, Evens, A Smith, Austwicke, M Stephenson, I Flounders, Maguire, Pinchen, Baxter, Ryan, Wood, Church, Dring (c) (sin bin 16). Subs used: Rochester, Ross. Sub not used: J Little

Novocastrians: Busby, Forbes, Ward, C Parkinson, J Parkinson, Dodd, B Smith, Twentyman, Stowe, Menzfield, Stacey, Wright (sin bin 72), Dodds, Warren, Littlefair (c) (sin bin 16). Subs used: Goodman, Stewart, Wilson

Referee: Ranbir Dhillon (Warwickshire Society)