West Hartlepool RFC 20-5 Pocklington: West return to winning ways with convincing Pocklington victory

West Hartlepool RFC returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon after a three-game losing streak with a convincing 20-5 win over Pocklington.

Consecutive defeats to Doncaster Phoenix, Morpeth and Wheatley Hills had substantially damaged West’s play-off ambitions and Saturday’s contest looked to be heading the same way as the visitors went ahead after three minutes.

The Home side’s defence sleepwalked into conceding the try as the ball made it’s way to visiting winger Nathan Saltmer who was failed to be pushed into touch as he scored the unconverted try in the clubhouse corner.

West slowly began to wake up and managed to draw level after 12 minutes after increasing pressure on the visiting 22-yard line saw West go for a line out.

It proved to be a stroke of magic as Aaron Myers did well on the blind side before been apprehended but Andrew Rollins came running to take it over with Gavin Painter narrowly missing the conversion kick.

Youngster Liam Checksfield had proved a revelation since his introduction into the first team and the 17-year-old proved crucial once again as he gave West the lead with his first senior try.

It was a brotherly combination of the Painters that set up the moment with Gavin running towards the 22-yard line before finding Ryan who floated long ball over the top made it easy for Checksfield to take over the unconverted try.

Gavin of the Painter duo had failed to get his eye in with what as seemingly two easy conversion kicks but made it up for that ten minutes from the break with his long-range penalty giving them a 13-5 lead at the break.

The second period proved a lot more enclosed with West fighting desperately to find the crucial bonus try. Scott Butcher and Adam Coates pushed for the try as they camped on the visitors line but a spilled ball allowed Jack Holbrough to end the danger.

Painter’s temporary dismissal brought a five-minute bombardment from the visiting side opting for the scrum approach but West’s defence stood firm and the onslaught was eventually ceased with Liam Bailey’s tackle on Joe Brown at the foot of the posts.

Painter’s return proved all the difference as a final try secured a hard-fought three points. Myers stood out from the ruck but when he received the ball he showed great skill to turn the first tackle and shrugged off the second to set up Painter for a finishing conversion.

Despite the victory, the battle for third still proves to be a losing battle with Alnwick currently four points ahead of the Catcote Road-based club.

West Hartlepool RFC will look to catch their Northumbrian rivals when they visit Percy Park on Saturday, April 9 with kick-off at 3pm.

West: Connor Fewster, Luke Mallinson, Liam Checksfield, Peter Youll, Scott Butcher, Gavin Painter, Ryan Painter, Michael Hogan, Adam Rollins, Adam Coates, Chris Atkins, Dan Boatman (captain), Liam Bailey, Aaron Myers, Sam Miller. 

 
Reps all used: Jack Angus, Joe Willis, John Bunter. 

 
Tries: Rollins, Checksfield, Myers 

 
Con: G Painter 

 
Pen: G. Painter. 

 
Yellow: G.Painter 

 
Pocklington: Matt Procter, Charlie Wilson, Josh Britton, James Flint, Nathan Saltmer, Joe Holbrough, Been Rees (captain), Ed Liversidge, Ben Stephenson, John-Paul Kelly, Karl Durkin, Archie Fothergill, Matt Davies, Jack Holbrough, Joe Brown. 

 
Reps: Chris Morton, Tom Peters, Johnny Wood. 

 
Try: Saltmer. 

 
Referee: I. Davies (Durham Society)