Hartlepool Athletic 6 - Whitby 43

Whitby made the voyage up to Hartlepool after an extensive Christmas break and was hoping to carry on with the winning form before the break. The game started with both teams equalling each other out and it was some time before anything substantial occurred, late in the first half Whitby conceded a penalty which Hartlepool neatly kicked over to start the scoring.
This must have lit a fuse in the Whitby hearts because almost straight away they came back with some good power play and support work from James Gildroy and Shane Young saw the ball work up the field then eventually end up in the winger Guy Taylors hands to score his first.
The heavyweight Whitby scrums were working well and forcing Hartlepool to work hard and scrap hard to win any ball, the second row with Jock and Matt providing the power to push the campaign forward.
Again a silly mistake by Whitby saw them concede another penalty with Hartlepool again put through the posts.
Just before the end of the half Whitby managed another score from another strong scrum saw some quick thinking by Barney Allgood release some quick ball to be dispatched which saw Oliver Roberts go over.
Marcus Coates in his usual style was the first to most break downs and got down and dirty and spoiled Hartlepool’s chances of any counter attack.
From a scrum it saw Whitby approach the line with a powerful sprint from Darren Lonsdale saw him held up inches from the line but good support work from Pete Stentiford saw him finish the move smartly.
Hartlepool made a few substitutions and they made immediate effect with a strong run down the wing and a chip kick into the middle of the field saw Hartlepool just run out of pitch and placed the ball down just over the dead ball line.
Again Whitby came back and with Hartlepool tiring gaps started to appear and these were spotted well by Steve Allen who gave the ball to Dave Straker to attack and he powered his way through for 2 easy tries in quick succession.
Another smart move saw Oliver Roberts and Mick Latus take on the defence with a mazy run along the wing and then ungreedly gave to Stentiford to finish off from 5 yards.
This was a good performance from Whitby after a long time off, they need to keep it up now for the rest of the season to push for promotion.
The training has now upped a level so let all make an effort to get there, it will pay off on the pitch.

Man of the Match – James Gildroy again but it was Shane Young (a new position).