Fylde welcome our old friends and rivals from the wrong side of the Pennines, Wharfedale RUFC, to the Woodlands on Saturday (ko 15.00).
On the last occasion we visited Threshfield in September 2019, the Wharfedale match programme set the close relationship between the two clubs in affectionate and gracious perspective. “Although we have built close bonds with a number of clubs over the years, no fixture is more eagerly anticipated than the visit of Fylde. The special tang of a Roses rivalry is always in the air when Fylde’s team and travelling support arrive, and in recent years this particular chemistry has produced several classic matches.”
Matches between the two clubs at the Woodlands over the years have also produced some splendid rugby and we give a warm welcome to the Greens’ players, officials and spectators today.
Wharfedale have had a rather stuttering start to the season to date, with one victory, last Saturday 23-8 at home to Blaydon, and four defeats, albeit three away from Threshfield and up against at least three promotion favourites: 35-5 at Rotherham, 23-15 at Sheffield Tigers, 66-13 at Bournville and 26-43 at home to Sedgley Park.
‘Dale enjoyed a glorious 20 season run in National One, a record which still stands, until their relegation in April 2016. They initially found it rather difficult dropping down to National Two (North), finishing 10th in 2016-7 and 13th just above the relegation zone in 2017-18, and 9th in both 2018-19 and 2019-20.
The first ever game between the clubs was in the 1995-6 season, just as the game was going professional. Since then, Fylde have won eighteen of the matches, Wharfedale six and one has been drawn. A number of these games have been extremely tight with just a few points separating them. A couple of exceptions were the first ever game when Fylde triumphed by 54-18 in December 1995 and in September 2000 when a weakened Fylde squad were overrun by a Wharfedale team inspired by England international flyhalf David Pears and were humiliated 72-10 at Threshfield.
The Green’s Director of Rugby is highly influential no 8 Rob Baldwin. Head Coach is Jon Feeley and he’s assisted by Jon Skurr.
‘Dale moved to strengthen their squad in the last few close seasons, with newcomers including fly-half and goal kicker Jack Blakeney-Edwards (ex-Darlington Mowden Park & Otley), lock Ben Leacock (ex-Kendal), powerful prop Matt Beesley, returning from spells away at Northampton and Ealing, and another ‘returner’, influential fly-half or centre and goal kicker Tom Davidson who is back from a period at Preston Grasshoppers.
The Greens’ pack is traditionally strong and the Fylde forwards will have to face difficult challenges in the tight and loose exchanges. There are some familiar faces likely to be involved on Saturday including prop George Altham, brother of the currently injured Joe and the former Fylde favourite Peter, hooker Dan Stockdale and strong no 8 Josh Burridge. Amongst the backs, wing Oliver Cicognini will be a constant danger as he has proved against Fylde in previous seasons and winger or fullback Rian Hamilton is a fine strike runner from broken play.
Following Fylde’s 24-17 victory over the Greens on their last visit to the Woodlands in January 2020, then Head Coach Warren Spragg said:
“That was a highly charged final 20 minutes! There’s something about Fylde v Wharfedale games that sets them apart and go beyond even the more recognised local derbies against Preston Grasshoppers or Sedgley Park. The Greens are vocal on the touchline, they have passionate supporters and the coaches really care about the club. The players never give up. You might think that you’re clearly ahead but often you’re not. I thought we were going to lose that game with 15 minutes to go.”
Fylde will be looking to get back to winning ways after the setback in the rain and wind at Rotherham Titans on Saturday. Despite the very heavy rain of recent days, the forecast for the end of the week is for much drier conditions – let’s hope!
