North Shields 15 - Hartlepool 13

Pool were forced to make 3 changes from the starting line up, Andrew Woodward was working so James Shaw, a football convert made his debut in the second row and Tom Johnson moved to number 8. Anth Burgon had a 24 hour sickness bug so Patrick Wilson moved from 10 to 9 with Adam Ainley starting at stand off and Dylan Thomas making his debut at 15.

In a tense start to the game, right from the onset, both sides negated one another’s attacking efforts with some bone-crunching tackling in the middle of the field. However after 10 minutes, the home side went ahead after the back division attacked on the blind side to score in the corner . The kick was missed to the give the hosts a 5-0 lead.

A minute later, Pool were nearly back in the game, North Shields clearance kick was caught by full back Dylan Thomas on the half way line and his blistering pace saw him skip pass 2 defenders and he then combined well with Andrew Small, Small then fed winger Dean Ryan, winger Ryan beat his outside man and passed to Small who drove on 5 metres from the try line but unfortunately the final pass wasn't caught and the ball was cleared.

Pool were now well on top and Dylan Thomas was in the thick of the action, another storming run saw him beat 3 players and he linked up with Adam Ainley, who in turn found Dean Ryan who was then stopped on the try line but the referee brought play back 20 meters in front of the post for a penalty and Keagen Thomas scored Pool first points of the afternoon with a well taken penalty, 5-3.

Pool then took the "foot off the pedal" and allowed North Shields to come back into the game and Pool had to defend in their twenty two metres line from a bout of sustained pressure. Flanker Jon Carney was having a fine game in the loose and stole the ball at the back of the scrum, allowing Patrick Wilson to clear the lines.

2 minutes before half time, the home side were reduced to 14 players after the heavy weight prop "slipped" and knee dropped Patrick Wilson. With the numerical advantage, Pool went on the attack and after a series of forwards drive, Neil Stead drove for the line but was held up on the try line. From the resultant scrum, Pool drove the heavy weight Shields pack backwards and number 8 Tom Johnson touched down to give Pool the lead for the first time. 8-5.

Half time

From the kick off, a series of missed tackles saw the home back line break through the middle of the pitch and clever interpassing saw them go 5 metres from the Pool try line but Adam Ainley was on hand to save a certain try by intercepting a pass and he managed to clear the danger with a fine kick.

Pool still with an extra player, added a second try on the 43 minute mark, Pool attacked blind and Suli made series yards before linking with Ainley and Small, the ball was recycled and Keagen Thomas made a break for the try line but was tackled 15 meters out, quick hands saw the ball passed along the line and David Chester showed great pace to score in the corner. 13-5. KeagenThomas was narrowly wide with the conversion.

Pool switched off and allowed North Shields back into the game and after 5 minutes of pressure, a series of forward drives saw the second row touch down under the post to bring the home side back into the game with a converted try. 13-12

With 20 minutes remaining, Shields took the lead with a fine penalty kick 15-12.

Both sides pressed for the all important next try, Dylan Thomas and Jack Richardson both made try saving tacking in a frantic finish. Pool with a minute remaining, ran the ball on their own try line and Sully took them over the 22 metre line and Wilson and Ainley combined as Pool moved up the field but Pool unfortunately knocked on and the referee blew the whistle to end the game.

Jon Carney was the star man for Pool for his high tackle count and excellent work in the loose .Dylan Thomas was the pick of the back, as he lucked dangerous every time he got the ball. The bonus point was scant consolidation and this was a game Pool should have won. The Pool coaching team and players were very disappointed after throwing a 13-5 lead but credit to North Shields for coming back into the game and making less mistakes.

1st XV v North Shields

N Stead, Small, T Stead Shaw, Smalley, J Carney, Tubuna, Johnson, Wilson, Ainley, Chester, Osland, Keegan, Ryan D, Thomas

Subs:- White, Lester, Richardson