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Hartlepool Rovers 21 - 6 Aldwinians

2/ 4/2008

THE North East coast produced a wet and windy welcome as Aldwinians continued their battle to make an impact on North Two East.

With some encouraging performances in recent games, there was every confidence that this would be a winnable game and some good displays from their forwards, as well as Pete Hughes and Richard Mooney, kept Aldwinians’ game moving forward.

Rovers made their mark with an early try, but a sequence of powerful mauls created a penalty for Mooney to make it 5-3 and bring Aldwinians back into the game.

Although the visitors had the momentum at this stage of the game, using driving mauls to reach the Rovers 22, their ability to retain possession was still below par as a turnover allowed Rovers to clear their lines.

Midway through the half, Aldwinians were penalised for not releasing and the subsequent lineout ended with a try.

Proceedings were closely fought for the rest of the half, Hughes causing problems with a 50-metre run, while Rovers challenged as they attempted to run the ball wide.

They ended the scoring in the first period with a penalty to make it 13-3 at the break.

Both sides traded early second-half penalties, but with the weather deteriorating, both sides deserved credit for producing some good forward play.

Although free-flowing rugby from the backs was to be limited, Hughes again worried the home side and went close to a try.

However, Rovers came through their sticky patch before ending the scoring with a try on the hour.

Despite having the better of the territory and pressure in the final 20 minutes, Aldwinians’ hard work was not rewarded with any further scores.

ALDWINIANS’ next league game is at York on April 12. The coach leaves at noon for the 3pm kick-off.