Match Preview

Hartlepool Rovers entertain Ponteland at the New Friarage on Saturday (kick off 2.15pm).

Last week’s wintery weather put paid to the Whites’ trip to Gateshead and, whilst poor weather is, again, forecast, Saturday’s game ought to survive.

The postponement at Eastwood Gardens, where Rovers have a good record, robbed the Friaragemen of the chance to close the gap on Gateshead, immediately above them in the table. A positive result against Ponteland, coupled with a defeat for the Tynesiders at Guisborough, would then have seen Rovers, most likely, overhaul Gateshead.

Rovers put in a great display against Stockton last time out and five excellent tries brought a 39-12 win and the hosts will start as overwhelming favourites against a Ponteland side who are currently bottom of Durham Northumberland One after gaining promotion last season.

The clash could be a banana skin and so the White Shirts will need to be wary of this and play to their game plan.

Rovers: M Railton, S Railton, Sainty, Grand, A Smith, Fawcett, Pelser, Pinchen, Cookland, Lloyd, Langley, O’Callaghan, Church, Wood, Whitehead (c). Subs: S Smith, M Stephenson, Dring