After a well-earned Christmas break, the Elizabethans are back in action this Saturday for our first home game of 2025, as the 1st XV take on Hartlepool Rovers.

The last time we met Rovers, away in Round 4, it was a tough away day loss, but the lads are confident that this time around, on home turf and with renewed energy, we can secure the win.

This weekend's game provides a pivitol moment in our season. Following the bitter 31-3 defeat to Barnard Castle in our last outing, the team has been working hard to learn for those mistakes and come back stronger. With key players returning from injury and overall squad availability improving, we are in a strong position to make a real impact. The lads are motivated to not only learn from past mistakes but to also put in a performance that will kick-start a succesful run in the second half of the campaign.

Hartlepool Rovers will be a tought test for the lads, but they're hungry for the win and ready to fight for every point.

Kick off - 2pm
Darlington Arena, Back Pitches