Fylde XV 53 Perthshire RUFC 5
Fylde welcomed a touring, well kilted Perthshire Eagles squad to the Woodlands for the first ever meeting of these two historic clubs in a pre-season runout. It was played in a fine spirit on a bright sunny day on a superb surface. The decent sized crowd enjoyed the open, attacking rugby played by both sides. Despite the nine tries to one defeat, the visitors’ heads never dropped and they competed bravely throughout.
The Fylde squad was made up of almost all under 25 year olds but they showed their true rugby credentials and adopted with aplomb the traditional running rugby credo of the Club. They started the game by opening the scoring with a try in the left corner by Theo Butterworth, converted well from the touchline by fly-half Charlie Cadley. This was soon extended by a neat grubber to the right corner finished off by impressive flanker Freddie Deeks.
Some smart attacking by the Eagles led to powerful lock Willie Campbell driving over from 20m at a quickly taken penalty to reduce the deficit to 12-5.
Further Fylde tries by livewire centre Mulenga Chilufya and Matt Worsnip extended the lead before a 2nd half master class in finishing by replacement wing Isaac Quarry saw him notch four tries down the right in an excellent debut.
Always influential centre George Brookes got his name on the scoresheet as well as setting up numerous chances for colleagues. Home prop Joe Osivwemu was a thorn in the side of the Scottish side with some superb ball carrying.
A fine bagpipe tribute finished off the afternoon at the final whistle as both squads mixed together with mutual respect.
Click here for Chris Farrow’s portfolio of match photos.
Fylde XV squad
1 Tom Kenyon
2 Joe Corkish
3 Joe Oslvwemu
4 Toby Merrick
5 Jay Bairstow
6 Will Atkinson (c)
7 Freddie Deeks
8 James Robinson
9 Ben Gould
10 Charlie Cadley
11 Theo Butterworth
12 George Brookes
13 Mulenga Chilufya
14 Matt Worsnip
15 Harvey Burgess
16 Cian O’Donnell
17 Cameron Railton
18 Reece Horan
19 Seb Pattinson
20 Sam Peters
21 Isaac Quarry
Perthshire RUFC squad
1 Rhys Darlington
2 Kieran Maclean
3 Ewen MacDonald
4 Doug Yellowley
5 Tom Whammond
6 Callum Coutts
7 Ewan MacKessack-Leitch
8 James Mair
9 Lewis Murrie
10 Aidan Watson
11 Rabson Chipakupaku
12 James Armstrong
13 Gavin Hegarty
14 Michael Evans
15 Ross Cameron
16 Willie Campbell
17 Bruce Campbell
18 Jack Mcintosh
19 Ross Dougan
20 David Hutchinson
21 Colin Smith
22 Lewis Ritchie
23 James Spence Marley
24 Stephen Wilkie
25 Cameron McGougan
26 Chris Wallace
27 Calum Robertson
28 Stevie gray
29 Donald Yellowley
30 Andy Elder
31 Andy Ritchie
32 David Lewis