Harrogate 8 vs Fylde 33: report by Simon Taylor
Fylde chalked up their fourth bonus point win in a row at another club where they have traditionally struggled with a solid and efficient performance. Whilst Harrogate were plucky and spirited Fylde were never really in any danger, taking their chances when they were created and defending stoutly when not in possession, allowing only a single try against them for the second week running.
14 wins in 18 starts sees Fylde remain third in the table, a point behind second placed Sedgley and 6 behind leaders Hull who both have a game in hand. Fylde are 2 points ahead of both unbeaten Rotherham and Stourbridge, who have 3 and 2 games in hand respectively. Sixth place Hull Ionians have a game in hand but are 17 points adrift of Fylde. The top five are effectively in a breakaway league of their own and likely to occupy those spots come the end of the season, in what order remains to be seen.
A dry and still day greeted Fylde at The Apollo Capital Stadium, but the pitch was on the heavy side which was to make free-running rugby difficult for both sides. Fylde had a decent amount of travelling support, many of whom were making a weekend of it in the pleasant town, all no doubt disappointed to see Fylde made a late change to their starting line-up with top try scorer Tom Carleton kept in reserve on the bench. Carleton was nursing a dead leg, so Ben Turner was promoted from the bench to full back, Tom Forster moving to centre to partner Joe Bedlow in the absence of the injured Scott Rawlings.
All the early pressure and possession went Fylde’s way without them being able to trouble the score board. A promising 5-yard scrum created a chance, but a wide floated pass was deemed forward and went into touch in any case. Harrogate grew into the game and on 13 minutes in their first real foray into the Fylde half they took the lead. Stand-off Rory Macnab took the line on and got his hands free to put his centre in open space. Turner as last line of defence made the tackle and with quick ball likely to lead to a try scoring chance Dave Fairbrother entered the breakdown to snuff out the attack. Unfortunately, his point of entry was deemed illegal and to be a cynical piece of play by the referee who had no hesitation in flashing the yellow card. There were no complaints from the talismanic Fairbrother, evidenced by the fact he was heading off the pitch before the ref had even got the custard-coloured card out of his pocket. Kit Keith kicked the penalty to put Harrogate ahead 3-0.
Despite being a man down Fylde responded immediately as Matt Garrod used every inch of his ample wingspan to charge down the attempted exit from the restart. The galloping Garrod just managed to get to the bouncing ball before it went over the dead-ball line and touch it down for the try. Greg Smith failed with the conversion attempt, but Fylde were ahead at 5-3, a lead they were never to relinquish. Whilst still down a man they increased the lead to 12-3 in the 19th minute when good play led to pressure near the Harrogate line. Ben O’Ryan, benefiting from sustained game time in recent weeks, forced his way over from close range, Smith adding the extras.
The rest of the half was an arm-wrestle until 35 minutes when Harrogate’s William Dennis was yellow carded for interfering at the breakdown. Minutes later Fylde made use of the extra man around the blind side and Matt Sturgess scored for the third game in a row, Smith again converting to give Fylde a healthy half-time lead of 19-3.
The second half was in truth something of a spectacularly unspectacular affair. Harrogate ran the ball strongly all day, particularly their impressive second row and captain Sam Brady, however they lacked a true cutting edge and Fylde were able to mop up in defence and wait for the error or a turnover. With neither side managing to put sustained phases of possession together there were not proving to be many clear-cut scoring chances. The reporter’s notebook remained unbothered until the 51st minute and that was only to record a raft of changes from the bench. Starting props Sam Kyle-Clay and Corey Bowker had earnt their corn and Matt Ashcroft and Zack Barrow came on to do their shift at the coalface, Barrow a welcome return after a lengthy spell out with a knee problem. The back row lost nothing in its effectiveness as the energetic youngster Marcus Blake replaced O’Ryan.
Finally, on 56 minutes the scoreboard operator was forced into action again. A lovely set move in the back line from a perfect line out take and give saw Henry Hadfield in from the blind side and put through the gap. Hadfield has been in fine form all season and he showed he can create as well as score tries as he drew the last man and put Ben Turner in for an excellent try. Smith again knocked over the extras and at 26-3 up Fylde were almost home and hosed. Adam Lanigan was brought on at scrumhalf for some deserved game time, Matt Sturgess moving to stand-off as Greg Smith was given a breather. Tom Carleton was kept wrapped in cotton wool with the game situation not requiring his mercurial talents, a shame for the crowd but sensible decision making from the coaches.
Fylde’s try line was finally breached on 64 minutes for the only time of the day when penalties gave Harrogate a 5-yard line out. The initial catch and drive was repelled illegally earning Matt Ashcroft Fylde’s second yellow card of the day, compounded by the fact Harrogate forced the next catch and drive over with Ben Raubitschek the scorer. The conversion hit the post to leave the score 26-8 to Fylde.
Realising another home score might create some anxious moments Fylde knuckled down and managed the yellow card period without too much fuss, and shortly after it was reversed they put the game to bed with their fifth try on 75 minutes. Corey Bowker displayed good skills and pace to create a meaningful break and fragment the home defence. Matt Sturgess took the ball on and, finding the ever-willing support runner Henry Hadfield on his shoulder he calmly drew the last man and Hadfield dotted down. Sturgess stroked over the conversion and Fylde saw the game out to win relatively comfortably at 33-8.
Fylde fans are aften spoiled by the rugby fare their team delivers but not every game can be a feast of running and the fact they conceded only 8 points this week and 5 the week previously shows their defensive qualities are in good order. Skipper Ben Gregory is robust and dynamic, all the young props are solid and dependable and the second-row boiler room of Garrod and Parkinson is a well-established and dependable unit. The back row of Fairbrother, O’Ryan, Corrie and Blake run and tackle hard in equal measure.
Sturgess and Smith guide the team around the pitch in assured fashion with Lanigan very able when called on. Tom Forster has become a versatile and dependable fixture in the back line in the sadly protracted absence of Connor Wilkinson and the addition of the latest Bedlow off the production line has proved very timely with Scott Rawlings picking up a knock.
The two other Toms, Grimes and Carleton, with Henry Hadfield in tandem form a potent and formidable try scoring line-breaking trio whilst also showing their steel in defence. All other squad members this season have proved highly capable when called on. Fylde have a talented squad providing a very watchable brand of rugby, all well coached and organised by Chris Briers and Alex Loney with the backing of their support team and old heads on the committee.
Coach Chris Briers commented; “We have to be happy with another bonus point win away from home. Harrogate threw everything they had at us, and we had to earn this win. We defended well when we needed to and took our chances well when we had them. Next week at home to Rotherham will be a stern test of our 100% home record but one we are looking forward to as we look to get one back over them for our loss at their place and inflict their first defeat. It should be a great game.”
Teams:
Fylde: Turner; Grimes, Foster, Bedlow, Hadfield; Smith (Lanigan 62), Sturgess; Kyle-Clay (Ashcroft 51), Gregory (c), Bowker (Barrow 51), Parkinson, Garrod, Corrie, O’Ryan (Blake 52), Fairbrother.
Non-playing replacements: Carleton
Harrogate: Haydock; Barnard, Cummins, Edwards, Yates (Baxter 36, Dennis 46)), Macnab, Keith (Raubitschek 59), Percival, Maycock (Yorke 62), Dennis (Yates 45), Kitching (Fradgley 62), Brady, Seymour (Thompson 32), Dodds (Seymour 42), Coser.
