Match Preview

Hartlepool Rovers head to Gosforth on Saturday aiming to earn a try-scoring bonus point win (kick off 2.15pm).

The Whites came within moments of doing this on home turf last week against Westoe following a tremendous second half display.

Rovers will be making their first visit to Broadway West, the new Gosforth base, and will be hoping that they play better there than they have often done at their previous home grounds at Bullocksteads and Druid Park.

The White Shirts will be pleased to include Steven Barnfield and James Evens in the backline who have both been missed, especially in attack.

Danny Cookland returns at hooker after missing the Westoe game with Patrick O’Callaghan switching from the win to his usual back row berth to cover the injured Liam Wood.

Rovers: S Barnfield, S Railton, Church, Evens, Hodgson, Fawcett, Stephenson, S Smith, Cookland, Lloyd, Langley, Little, Charters, O’Callaghan, Whitehead (c). Subs: D Smith, R Clayton, Gunn