Match Preview

The weather, again, holds the key as Hartlepool Rovers prepare to take the trip up the Coast Road to play Horden and Peterlee (kick off 2.15pm)
On their second visit to Horden’s new Eden Lane HQ, the Whites have the chance to record a double as the reverse fixtures start.

With a 22-13 win at the New Friarage back in September behind them and the bigger playing area than at Welfare Park, there is no reason why Rovers shouldn’t go into the game with some confidence.

Unavailability has impacted on team selection but some of the Friaragemen’s most spirited performances this season have come against the odds and all of the eighteen players have 1st XV experience.

The last two weeks’ postponements at Gateshead and at home to Ponteland-two winnable games-have denied Rovers the chance to catch and then overtake Gateshead who are one place above the White Shirts in fifth.

Although missing a good number of first team regulars, Rovers have been boosted by the return of hooker Kevin Maguire and player-coach Steve Smith who starts at loosehead with Ian Pinchen at tighthead forming a vastly experienced front row.

Rovers: A Smith, Hodgson, Grand, Gunn, O’Callaghan, Fawcett, Pelser, S Smith, Maguire, Pinchen, D Smith, Little, Jeffery, Church, Whitehead (c). Subs: Charters, Buttery, R Clayton
Updated 20:41 - 14 Dec 2017 by Ian Kelly