Hartlepool lose out in semi-final to Gateshead

Pool gave their opponents too much respect early on and took time to settle into the game. As a result they quickly found themselves behind.

Once they managed to assert themselves and seize the competitive advantage, they enjoyed sustained periods of possession and territory deep in the Gateshead half.

But this merely turned out to be a statistic and did not affect the scoreboard.

It wasn’t until midway through the second half that they eventually crossed the whitewash with tries from Jon Carney and Andrew Bostwick.

Gateshead will now go on to play Hartlepool Rovers in the final, who defeated Sunderland on Saturday.

Following a fantastic season and a first promotion in seven years, this tie proved to be a game too far for Pool.

But Hartlepool will quickly move on from this defeat and focus on their preparations for the 2016/17 Durham Northumberland One campaign.