H&P were beaten last week by a good Durham City side but not disgraced, we competed well in the second half and showed good grit and determination, lots of positives from the game considering the average age of the squad.

This week the coaching staff have made some changes to the team, firstly Craig Gilmour comes into the front row at loose head while the excellent Paul James moves over to the tighthead, Jon Hudson drops down to the bench. Luke Watson who has moved into the back row this year comes in at Number 8 after a strong showing for the second team last week, he replaces Liam Ellis. Luke a strong ball carrier and ferocious tackler looks at home in the back row and will add some real experience and grunt. Sean McCallum made a try scoring debut last week coming off the bench and has impressed the coaches with his all action game he comes in at 6 with Andrew King finishing off the trio at 7, Kingy arguably had his best game for the club last Saturday since his move from Darlington. The unlucky Steven Heckles moves down to the bench, he'll be itching to get onto the field against his former club.

In the backline, we welcome back David Smith (Smithy) he's in the Army erm Navy or RAF something like that but he's been away working for the last couple of year, he assures us we'll be seeing a lot more of him this year as he has a posting closer to home good news. He comes in for Dan Bleek (Sendez) who's at Uni. The unavailable Cam Stables has allowed MOM vs Westoe Chris Purvis to come back in on the wing. Chris has flirted with the back row over the last couple of seasons but is looking dangerous on the wing. (he was at a crossfit comp last week) Last but not least we welcome back David Heckles to the bench, Davey is a dangerous attacking back with ball in hand and is able to cover most positions on the bench, another lad who had a excellent showing for the second team at the weekend.

The second team were excellent last week and beat Durham City, they will be looking to continue the momentum again this week as they take on Rovers also.

Finally the 3rds have Stockton after playing a mixed game vs Sedgefield last week, special mention to Sedgefield who travelled down with small numbers so we gave them ex 1st team and Durham County players Michael Thompson and Steven Black!!

We again have 3 really good and competitive sides out win lose or draw that's a massive achievement.

Hartlepool Rovers v Horden 1sts

Meet 1pm – KO 3pm

Team – 1.Gilmour 2.Thirkell 3.James 4.White 5.Armstrong 6.McCallum 7.King 8.Watson 9.Turner 10.Thubron 11.Purvis 12.Smith 13.Edwards 14.Turnbull 15.Crake

Subs - 16.Hudson 17.S Heckles 18.D Heckles

Horden 2nds v Rovers 2nds

Meet 1pm – KO 3pm

Team From – Hebron Schofield Cairnes Bridges Heckles Elliott Brooksbank Ellis Cudlip Holloway Oliver W Dawson Coxon Docherty Swallow Young Dowson Mason Raine

Stockton v Horden 3rds

Meet 1pm – KO 3pm

Team From – Mckintosh Hartley Hope Monaghan Fishwick McCourt Tucknut Strong Lang Winrow Hall Hudson Purvis Wood Yeates Workman Potter Z Robinson P Robinson Halsall Smith Black Thompson