Match Preview

Hartlepool Rovers are in cup action on Saturday when Horden and Peterlee visit in the Durham Intermediate Cup (kick off 3pm).

Following two friendly successes against Whitley Bay Rockliffe and Richmondshire, player-coach Steve Smith sends the Whites out for what looks like a very even cup tie.

Rovers’ selection has been affected with injuries, including to captain Callum Whitehead and Andrew Dring, and unavailability making for some re-shuffling in both backs and forwards.

Ryan Foreman starts at full back with James Evens taking the number 10 shirt where he will partner Steven Barnfield. In the centre, Mark Burnside and Jack Gunn pair up as they have in the two friendlies, games where Gunn ran in five tries.

The Stead brothers Neil and Tom have Ian Pinchen for company in the front row with Dylan Langley and Joe Little combining in the second row. There is a very mobile back row of Patrick O’Callaghan, Aaron Jeffery and Liam Wood who are all capable of tremendous tackle counts if necessary.

The winners will be at home to Durham City or Barnard Castle in the semi-final.

Rovers: Foreman, Maguire, Burnside, Gunn, Harrison, Evens, S Barnfield, N Stead, T Stead, Pinchen, Langley, Little, Jeffery, O'Callaghan, Wood. Subs: S Smith, Armstrong, D Smith, Pelser, Fawcett, Sainty, Swallow