The visitors opened the scoring after seven minutes when a penalty set up a scrum ten metres out, from which Ponteland powered over to take an early 0–7 lead. Hartlepool had a chance to respond shortly after, kicking a penalty to touch around 15 metres out, but the line-out was lost.

At the 32-minute mark, Hartlepool earned a penalty following a high tackle on Max Filby. From the line-out, Jon Carney’s caught Adam Willamson's throw and as the backs attacked Josh Walker crossed the line, only for the try to be chalked off due to crossing in the attacking line, with the referee returning to the original penalty.

Ponteland then struck decisively. A sharp counter-attack from the visitors’ full-back resulted in a try under the posts on 34 minutes, extending the lead to 0–14. Just before half-time, Ponteland again exploited space on the right, creating an overlap that was expertly finished for their third try. The conversion was missed, but the visitors led 0–19 at the break.

Hartlepool had one final opportunity before the interval. In injury time, a penalty was kicked to touch and the resulting line-out was secured. Dave Chester carried strongly, supported by Keagen Thomas and Max Filby, earning another penalty. Jack Riley picked and went close to the line, but Ponteland’s defence held firm and the referee blew for half-time.

The second half began with further frustration for the home side as Ponteland converted a penalty to stretch the lead to 0–22.

Hartlepool finally got their reward after sustained pressure deep in Ponteland territory. A series of determined pick-and-go drives from the forwards culminated in prop Anthony Harvey crashing over for Hartlepool’s first try of the afternoon. Ben Clark added the conversion to make it 7–22.

With momentum briefly swinging, the next score proved crucial. Ponteland capitalised on a Hartlepool knock-on, moving the ball wide and finishing clinically for their fourth try. The conversion was missed, but the visitors moved further clear at 7–27.

Hartlepool refused to fold and spent the final stages camped in the Ponteland half. After five minutes of sustained pressure, substitute veteran winger Dean Ryan joined the attack to score in the corner with ten minutes remaining, reducing the deficit to 14–27.

Despite pushing for a late score, Hartlepool were unable to breach Ponteland’s defence again, and the visitors saw out the remainder of the match to claim the win.

Hartlepool will take encouragement from their second-half performance but will rue missed opportunities and lapses that allowed Ponteland to build a decisive first-half advantage