Rovers travelled short yet again to Stockton and once more Mick Conlon and Terry Wilson were gracious enough to loan us players to get a game going. We were also boosted by two Billingham lads turning out for us. We would have had more Rovers players but some went to extreme lengths to disguise themselves from being selected (see photo).

Rovers had the advantage of the slope and exerted early pressure but were one short and playing without a full back pending the arrival of our final player. When Stockton broke one tackle out wide they were able to go on to run in a converted try under the posts. Gradually the Rovers team became more coordinated and when at full complement just before half time Luke Wallis ran a good line to score a try that was converted by Paul Arnell. Half time 7-7

At half time Stockton were boosted by the availability of Wayne Brown and later Graham Kell. Stockton also began to gain much more possession pushing us back in the scrums and initiating some some good breaks. From a penalty 5 metres out Mick Conlon did one of his many tricks where he walked forward very slowly with the ball and confused our defenders who did not know whether to tackle him or not. By the time we decided to engage Mick was only a couple of yards from the line and the rest of the Stockton pack drove in behind him and another Stockton forward touched down. Stockton might have expected to kick on but Rovers would not give up and Nathan Olley collected a loose ball to race 60 metres for an unconverted try in the corner that once again drew us level 12-12. Stockton retook the lead following a good interchange between Wayne Brown and Graham Kell and led 19-12. Rovers showed excellent spirit and battled away - even now pushing the Stockton pack - but the game ended 19-12.

There were several good things to say about the game. We never stopped trying and got stuck in all day long. Considering how scratch a side we had we did well to hold a good Stockton side to just 1 try difference.

We are very grateful to the Stockton lads who put in excellent performances for us - some of whom have turned out for us in previous seasons when we were short _ and and thanks again to the tolerant Stockton management for helping out. Again. We also owe huge thanks to Richie Morrison and Nigel Guz from Billingham for turning out for us after West Bucks called their game off. As an aside it probably says something about the rivalry in Hartlepool that we shared players with Billingham rather than Rovers or West combining to get a team.

However the fact remains that we barely had half a team of Rovers and if lads do not make themselves available or do not turn up when they have said they are going to then we are not going to get a regular side out. We have Seaton Carew at home next week. If you can play then please, please do so. If you can get someone else to playas well then even better.

Team

Morrison, Stockton Winger, Olley, Wallis, Stockton Winger, Arnell (c), Connor, S Saunders, Ross, Stockton prop, Pinchen, Stockton lock, Whitehead, Stockton flanker, Guz