Match Preview

Hartlepool Rovers head to Longbenton on Saturday to face Novocastrians (kick off 3pm).

The Whites won at Sutherland Park last season 29-25 but the victory was more clear-cut than the scoreline suggests.

Often, however, Rovers have come away from Newcastle empty-handed against an opposition that likes to secure good quality ball and then ship it out to the backs.

Rovers displayed the very same tactics themselves in their six try demolition of Gosforth at the New Friarage last weekend to show what they are capable of.

The Friaragemen need another win to not only build on that try-scoring bonus point success over Gosforth to not only climb higher in the Durham Northumberland One table but also to maintain confidence ahead of a tough October when they will face three promotion-chasers in Durham City, Guisborough and Barnard Castle.

The White Shirts are without the injured Steven Barnfield, Gav Robinson, Anthony Hanley, Andrew Dring and Ryan Clayton whilst Dylan Langley is working and Michael Railton is away.

Chrissy Harrison who missed the Gosforth match returns at full back and David Grand, a try-scorer in the defeat at Westoe, partners Jack Gunn in the centre.

Up front, player-coach Steve Smith stays at loosehead and Danny Cookland is at tighthead with Kevin Maguire hooking. Patrick O’Callaghan starts in the second row alongside last week’s debutant Nathan Rayner.

Rovers: Harrison, Rochester, Grand, Gunn, A Smith, M Barnfield, Pelser, S Smith, Maguire, Cookland, O’Callaghan, Rayner, Church, Wood, Whitehead (c). Subs: Pinchen, D Smith, Fawcett

Preview: Ian Kelly