Hartlepool start busy fortnight hosting high-flying Marske

The in-form seaside outfit arrive on the back of victory against Seaton, despite their leading run scorer and talisman, Saeed Bin Nasir, failing to trouble the scorers. That should act as a stark reminder to Pool that Marske have a strong line up even without his runs.

Pool’s game at Windy Hill Lane was called off due to the weather, however, they did meet in the MacMillan Cup, in which Marske were victorious in a high-scoring encounter.

Pool name a strong side, with only Dave Seymour unavailable. Chris Harrison returns to the side, having made a number of telling contributions with the ball in his appearances this year.

Jon Rickard will be hoping to continue his good form, having scored 95 not out on Saturday, and also snatching quick runs against Marske in the cup tie.

On Sunday, Pool revert to coloured clothing as they travel to Feethams to play their round-robin Fifteen15 competition against Darlington and Middlesbrough.

With the top two from each group progressing to the quarter-finals, Pool will be desperate to get a good win under their belt in the first game.

Pool name a squad of 13 for the games, including the in-form Ollie Mole, who has scored back to back centuries in the third team, and Adil Ahmad who has also performed well this season.

On Tuesday, Pool then travel to Richmondshire to play the semi-final of the prestigious Kerridge Cup.

The winners will face Great Ayton in the final after they defeated Marton with ease on Tuesday night.

Pool presently sit sixth in the league, and still have a game in hand on four of the five teams above them.

Barnard Castle are the new league leaders, closely followed by Richmond and Marske. Stokesley then sit one point above Pool as just 27 points separate the top six.

Pool will not only want a victory in Saturday’s game to keep up the pressure at the top of the league, but also to put them into a great frame of mind going into the cup fixtures.

Following the cup fixtures, Pool then have a double weekend again - this time travelling to Stokesley on the 18 before making the derby at Seaton’s Hornby Park on Sunday 19.

Seaton Carew travel to Gusiborough in the league tomorrow.