Hartlepool Rovers produced good ruby in patches, scoring some good tries without hitting the heights, but easily dispatched South Shields Westoe on the New Friarage.
As in recent weeks Rovers flew out of the blocks with some good driving play and this was rewarded when ROSS, who has been playing well in recent weeks drove his way over from a ruck close to the visitors line on 3 minutes. The conversion was kicked by Fawcett. (7-0, 3 Mins).
Rovers extended their lead on 13 minutes when from a penalty Fawcett kicked them deep into Westoe 22, The lineout was clean and the forwards started to move the visitors pack and Reed drove for the line, he was well tackled but Rovers keep control of the ball and from a series of rucks and under an advantage from referee Johnson, the ball was moved to Fawcett, the veteran standoff threw a dummy and headed for the line before feeding the supporting LITHGO who went over untouched. Fawcett kicked the conversion (14-0, 13 Mins).
Westoe finally got some ball and field position, but Rovers soaked up the pressure with some good defence, driving the attackers back each time.
This good defence was rewarded with a try, when the Rovers backrow attacked a midfield ruck and won a penalty for holding on. This allowed Fawcett to drill a kick deep into the visitors 22, the lineout was won clean and Lloyd drove hard for the line, he was tackled well 5 metres out. The ruck was quick and Fawcett sent LITHGO in for the try with a clever switch. Fawcett kicked his 3rd conversion. (21-0, 19 Mins).
Westoe were playing some good ruby but a lack of support was costing them and they were constantly turned over at rucks by the home side. Their cause was further hindered when on 34 minutes their 2nd Row was yellow carded when he blocked Barnfield after the scrumhalf grubber kicked through. From the resulting penalty award Rovers kicked for a lineout and won good possession 15 metres out and the Rovers pack wanted to get in on the action and from a powerful driving maul hooker GLAISTER-SMITH burrowed his way over for a good pack try. Fawcett hit his 4th conversion from wide out. (28-0, 36 Mins).
Rovers made a mess of the restart when it was kicked long into the corner and Rovers ended up getting bundled into touch. The Westoe lineout had been working well and they won the ball and drove for the Rovers line, from a series or rucks heading towards the posts a clever switch in play caught Rovers weak on the blindside and the Westoe hooker forced his way over for a try. The conversion was missed. (28-5, 39 Mins).
Half Time 28-5
Worryingly for the 2nd week running Rovers started the 2nd half very slowly, however, credit must also be given credit for raising their intensity and taking the game to Rovers. For the 1st 20 minutes the game was played in the Rovers half of the field and the Westoe efforts was rewarded when their dangerous fullback split the Rovers defence and drove into the home 22. A last-ditch tackle stopped a certain try but Westoe won quick ruck ball and the ball was fed to a Westoe centre who bundled his was over for a try. The conversion hit the post and rebounded out. (28-10, 62 Mins).
A few harsh words were said behind the post by captain Gunn and the introduction for subs got Rovers back on the front foot, A long fly hack up field from a loose ball was chased hard by Reed, who won a good turnover. The ball was moved quickly to Rochester at outside centre who swerved around his defended on an outside arc to score a good try. Fawcett slotted his 5th conversion of the day. (35-10, 68 Mins).
This was quickly followed by a good try for Lithgo who completed his hat-trick when on 71 minutes from some good phased play on the half way line Dring found himself in space, he soon realised how far out he was and wisely drove into the fullback and popped the ball to the supporting LITHGO who dived over for his try. Fawcett sent his 6th conversion through the posts. (42-10, 72 Mins).
Rovers finished the game with aplomb when from another midfield turnover, this time won by coach Smith, Barnfield darted up the blindside towards the Steetley corner, with the defenders covering across the scrum half played a switch with winger TRIMBLE and the young winger stood up the last man to round the posts to score. Facwett maintained his 100% record for the day and kicked the conversion. (49-10, 80 Mins).
Fulltime 49-10
Rovers: Healey, Glaister-Smith, Ross, Whitehead, Reed, Dring, Vincent, Gunn©, Barnfield, Fawcett, Harrison, Lithgo, Keers, Trimble, Rochester
Subs: Smith, Lloyd, Coulson (All used)

MOM: It is hard not to give the MOM to a person who scored a hat-trick but the form of ROSS in recent weeks, means that the prop gets the nod.