Fylde travel to their old friends and rivals Harrogate RUFC on Saturday (ko 14.00) in a National Two (North) contest. The two clubs have met each other in Roses battles for many generations and ‘Gate, one of England’s oldest rugby union clubs, are celebrating their 150th anniversary in 2021-22.
Since the formation of the serious RFU divisions and the advent of professionalism in the 1990s, the clubs have met each other 17 times in nine seasons, from 1999-2003, 2007-2011 and in 2021-22. ‘Gate dominated in the first of these periods, Fylde had rather more success in the later sequence. In all, Fylde have won 6, Harrogate 11, so the Yorkshiremen certainly have the clear bragging rights. Saturday will be Fylde’s first ever visit to ‘Gate’s new ground, Stratstone Stadium, and they will hope for better form than in the seven defeats (and one solitary victory) at the old Caro Road ground.
| Woodlands | Division | Caro Rd | Win/losses | |
| 1999-00 | 20-0 | N1 | 35-5 | W/L |
| 2000-01 | 12-18 | N1 | 38-17 | L/L |
| 2001-02 | 13-9 | N1 | 43-0 | W/L |
| 2002-03 | 6-18 | N1 | 23-13 | L/L |
| 2007-8 | 9-14 | N2N | 23-5 | L/L |
| 2008-9 | 62-13 | N2N | 36-19 | W/L |
| 2009-10 | 20-24 | N2N | 34-15 | L/L |
| 2010-11 | 35-12 | N2N | 20-30 | W/W |
| 2021-22 | 80-26 | N2N | W/ |
In terms of league status, Harrogate’s principal, sustained success was to have 13 seasons, 1994-2007, in National One, the 3rd tier of the English league hierarchy. Since 2007-8 they have yo-yo’d between National Two (North) at level 4 and North Premier, level 5. Two relegations to North Premier were followed swiftly by two promotions back to N2N, the latest in 2019-20.
The last time the two clubs met before this season was in Fylde’s promotion campaign in the 2010-11 season which resulted in a very rare double for the Lancastrians – a 20-30 victory at their then Caro Road base and a 35-12 win at the Woodlands.
There had been a long running planning dispute as the Club wanted to move away from the Caro Road site but the local authority would not approve its alternative use and a period of instability for the Club followed. It was eventually settled and in 2015 ‘Gate moved from the centre to the south edge of town to a brand new ground, the Stratstone Stadium on Rudding Lane. This has given the Club excellent, modern and top quality facilities embracing grass and artificial pitches and a thriving clubhouse.
Harrogate’s return to N2N has been a difficult one in the first half of the season. They were hit by an extensive injury list and lost seven of their first eight games including pastings at home to Sedgley Park (21-51), at Bournville (47-20) and at the Woodlands (80-26). A 17-12 victory at home to Blaydon gave them hope but a further nine defeats followed, punctuated by a battling 31-38 win at Tynedale. Recent results indicate a gradual improvement in form, and even some of the defeats gave been narrow ones – 11-14 at home to Chester, a very brave show against Rotherham Titans (10-26) and Bournville (17-24).
An excellent 12-29 away win at Blaydon (their third victory of the campaign) last Saturday will put them in good heart for the visit of Fylde. They sit in 15th place in the division with 18 points. Although their league position looks rather perilous it’s far from certain that the normal relegation of three clubs from the division will happen in late April/early May. The reorganisation of the two National Two divisions into three regional ones has yet to be sorted out and its quite possible that no N2N clubs will drop down to level 5.
The Director of Rugby is former Premiership star winger David Doherty who also plays occasionally at fullback or sometimes wing in N2N games. They have a strong pack which has been a gathering force in recent weeks and who will collectively prove a very serious test for the Fylde forwards. Veteran prop Steve Maycock alongside fellow front rowers Jake Percival and Will Dennis provide a solid base, with a backfive featuring skipper Sam Brady, Declan Thompson and brothers Guy and Jonny Coser.
Amongst the backs, very experienced playmaker and goal kicker is Sam Fox and there’s attacking prowess through Jack Haydock, Harry Barnard, Jordan Cummins, Will Yates and halfbacks Harry Yates and Kit Keith.
Underlining the point about ‘Gate’s injury list at the beginning of the season when they were comprehensively beaten at the Woodlands, only 8 members of the squad that day appeared in last Saturday’s roster at Blaydon.