Several Semi Finals in the Durham County Junior Cups have been played with West Hartlepool featuring in three of the games.
On Grayfields, Hartlepool, in the semi-final of the County U15 Cup
Darlington ran out winners by 37-10 in a game where they were always in command. West Hartlepool played with determination and enthusiasm but lacked the size and strength of the Darlington team for whom centre Tom Mangle scored three tries. Other scorers for Darlington were fly half Charles Catterall (who also dropped a goal), flanker John Stephens and Chris Hodgson. John Stephens converted two tries.
For West Adam Redhead scored two tries. On a neighbouring pitch West Hartlepool took on Billingham in a semi-final of the County U16 Cup and ran out winners 21-10. While the West team looked to be in command, lots of wrong options and dropped passes meant that Billingham were always in with a chance. After early tries by centre Paul Miller and no.8 Ian Pinchen, both converted by fly half Paul Moss, they were pegged back when a dropped pass and a hack on lead to Billingham scoring through Michael McDonald. This try went unconverted and West made the game safe when centre Andrew Cheslin cut through from the 22 under the posts to give Paul Moss and easy conversion.
Billingham were not finished and a smart handling move near the West line saw winger Dean Keenan go over in the corner for the final score. There was a shock win for Gateshead over West Hartlepool U17 in their semi-final of the Lormor Cup when Gateshead stole the game at West Hartlepool's 1st XV ground at Brinkburn by 24-22. West started with only 14 players and when Gateshead had two players sin binned, they should really have made the advantage count but two Gateshead tries in the last ten minutes turned the game Gateshead's way.
The Durham County Schools Union Cup Finals, with five games due to be settled at under 12 to under 16 level, were postponed.
An inspection late on Friday afternoon showed a waterlogged Blackwell Meadows and the decision was made to abandon Saturdays Finals day.
School's Union Secretary Brian Watt is now busily sorting out a re arranged date and more news will be given shortly.
The semi Finals of the County Junior Cups taking place with the following results.
Lormor Cup Under-17s: West Hartlepool 22 Gateshead 24.
Durham County Under-15s Cup Semi-Final: West Hartlepool 10 Darlington 37.
Durham County Under-16s Cup Semi Final: West Hartlepool 26 Billingham 10.
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