INJURY again contributed to Corbridge Centurions going down by a narrow margin.

For the second week running, they were reduced to 14 men through a lack of replacements as they were denied a place in the Candy League Cup final by Hartlepool Rovers.

Corbridge took an early lead when Adam Todhunter, who kicked maginficently throughout, found touch 10 metres out. A fine catch by Nathan Wahington was followed by a textbook maul and drive, with number 8 Micky Hall touching down out wide.

The hosts reduced the gap with a penalty, but the Centurions stretched their lead as Hall found Edd Cawthorne who cleverly chipped the ball over the defence and gathered his own kick for Todhunter to convert.

A period of Corbridge pressure ended with the concession of a penalty, and Hartlepool took the chance to earn a five-metre line-out before going over from close range for a converted try.

Rovers had the wind behind their sails and scored another try after their lively scrum half took a tap penalty and played in his powerful centre to score under the posts.

The scores were level at 17-17 at half time when speedy winger Ahmed Ahmed showed a great turn of pace to score out wide, the run following good play from Ed Craney, Ben Blackburn, Ollie Alcock and veteran Dave Nicholls.

A good drive involving prop Joe Anderson, hooker Adam Binks and flanker Charlie Harvey earned Corbridge a penalty early in the second half, Todhunter with a successful kick to put his side’s noses in front.

Jake Sloan, Robbie Nixon and Ahmed came to the fore as the game swung from end-to-end, but the Centurions were forced to play the final 10 minutes with reduced numbers as scrum half Andy Harvey was no longer able to bravely battle on.

Conversely, Hartlepool were able to turn to fresh legs and they ran in a crucial try, which was converted.

After missing further chances, they stretched their lead to nine points when they added a try from a line-out and maul with just two minutes to go.

Corbridge roared back looking to reduce the deficit, and Hall was over the line right on the final whistle. The try, however, wasn’t given as the play was on the blind side of the referee.