Fylde travel to Corbridge to face old friends and rivals Tynedale in National Two (North) on Saturday (ko 14.00). Both clubs have very similar records this season, with Fylde sitting in 5th place in the Division and Tynedale two places below and seven points fewer but with a game in hand.
The North Easterners have a very balanced record, with 4 wins and 4 losses at home and the same away from Tynedale Park. One of their away victories was at the Woodlands in October when they edged home by 28-34 in a tight contest. To emphasise the balance of games between the two clubs, last season Fylde won at home by 43-10 but lost at Tynedale Park by 23-12.
Tynedale have a stable squad, made up of a tough, very experienced pack including former England Counties and Blaydon lock Chris Wearmouth, back five forwards Jonathan Cousin, Graeme Dunn and Will Nankivell, and front rowers Louis Frankland, Oscar Caudle and Michael Hughes.
The pack is complemented by a young, quick set of backs led by fly-half, goal kicker and playmaker Josh Leslie who is the team’s top points scorer this season with 10 tries and 96 points in all.
The match officials are referee Nikki O’Donnell and ARs Simon Williams and Fraser (Jock) Gill.
There are five changes in Fylde’s starting lineup that battled bravely against Rotherham last Saturday. A number of injuries and unavailability issues have affected the selection, ruling out Scott Rawlings, Matt Ashcroft, Toby Harrison, Jordan Dorrington and the Carleton brothers as well as David Fairbrother who has been absent since early October.
But this gives opportunities to young players such as forwards Sam Parker and Alex Brooks and, especially, to versatile back Freddie Reader who starts his second 1st team match for the Club at fullback after excellent showings in the Hawks. Tom Forster and Matt Garrod also return to the starting action. Freddie Deeks and Alex Clayton are named amongst the replacements.