Hartlepool 3rd XV have now taken on the friars moniker and are staying true to the ethics of social rugby but it is now a mix of all ages and players looking to return to rugby after a number of years away from the game.

Guided by the management team of Andrew Bell and Jimmy Hepple they fielded a side on Saturday that had a blend of experience and youth with the majority of players playing their first game for a number of years.

Pool opened the scoring on the ten minute mark when winger Nick Forbes put a huge hit on Aycliffe's tricky center in the middle of the field and also turned the ball over in the process and then brushed off three would be tacklers to cross over for a fine solo try. Aycliffe's centre took a knock to the head in the process but thankfully pools former ladies captain and physiotherapist Jane stokes (Lennox) was on hand and after assessment was deemed fit to return.

Pools second came when Leigh Wheatley took a five metre tap penalty and went over after Aycliffe where rightfully penalised for collapsing a driving maul that looked a certain try.

Forbes got his second and Pools third when he linked with fly half Richard Picknett and showed great strength and pace to score from Aycliffe's ten meter line.

A Pool forward then made the score sheet when Callum Claydon turned the ball over and went through the middle of the ruck to go over from the Aycliffe 22.

The scoring for the first half finished when Picknett spread the ball wide and after centre John Spence made good yards he passed to youngster Adam Campbell , who playing his first game of senior rugby showed silky skills to score a fine try.

Pool opened the second half scoring when scrum half Rory Craig went blind from a scrum and passed to blind side winger Josh Jukes and he powered down the line to score. Hepple and Spence then linked well and then later sent Forbes away to complete his hat-trick.

Pool second row Shaun McBean then scored the try of the game when Picknett decided to run the ball from his own 22 after cleverly seeing Pool had a penalty advantage. They went right then left with numerous off loads in tackles and after some slick passing and Barbarian like play by both forwards and backs Picknett found McBean who was running a great line and he went over untouched for a great team try.

Jukes then scored his second after he was hand to finish off some good work by the home forwards and then prop Des Hall finished Pools scoring with his trade mark 'in the right place at the right time' try.

Aycliffe battled throughout and never gave up and their bravery was rewarded when they scored a great try with the last play of the game when there winger collected a cross field kick to score in the corner in a great rehearsed move.

The scoring finished 56-5 with Picknett converting two and Hepple the other.

Pick of the backs was Forbes and fly half picknett who looked to get his backs going at every opportunity. In the forwards club legend Stewart hind was the star turn.

A special mention must go to Ben Gibson, Robert 'Monza' Smith, James Shaw and Liam Turnbull who played their first games in a number of seasons and looked like they had never been away.

This win made it a clean sweep of victories for Pool on Saturday with both the 1st & 2nd XV also victorious in their fixtures. But most pleasing was the sight of over 65 players pulling on the Hartlepool jersey in the same afternoon.

The Friars look forward to their next game against Richmondshire on Saturday 14th November at Mayfield Park (2.15pm KO).