Fylde put in sterling performances against higher ranked opponents at the Woodlands in a triangular pre-season tournament. The format, three ’round robin’ 40 minute games, was very successful. In front of a healthy crowd, the home side’s defences were thoroughly tested, especially in their first match against Sale FC when they spent several periods inside their 22m line repelling constant pressure.
Fylde v Sale FC
Sale FC brought a strong squad to the Woodlands despite, as with Fylde (and no doubt Hawick), missing some key players. The beauty of these preseason games in such circumstances is that it gives the coaches, and spectators, a chance to look at unsung young players who often would struggle early in the season to get senior game time.
Sale fielded a strong pack, including former Fylde players, prop Dan Birchall, lock Nick Gray and DR flanker Andy Hughes. They set out their stall early on by penning the home side inside their 22m zone and took the lead early with a driving maul with lock Josh Brown plunging over to score. However, their cause wasn’t helped though by scrum-half Sean Street receiving a yellow card in the 17th minute as Fylde attacked 30m out from the Sale line.
Despite Sale having an advantage in the set pieces, the Fylde defence was terrier-like and barely missed a tackle. When they had possession they, as normal, looked to run the ball. Newcomer Ethan Hall-Lyon made a couple of startling, muscular breaks downfield. From an attack down their right in the 26th minute, the ball was moved out to fly half Greg Smith and a delightful chip to the left corner found winger Ben Turner in acres of space and he had no difficulty in touching down. Smith converted for a 7-5 lead.
The crucial score was a little later in the 31st minute when a fluent Fylde attack up the centre begun by Hall-Lyon, continued by Valu Tanē Bentley and ended by fellow flanker James Robinson making the try line from 20m out. Smith converted for a 14-5 lead.
In the 39th minute, Sale launched another attack and from a lineout Josh Brown was smuggled over for his 2nd try. The attempted conversion fell well wide and the whistle blew shortly afterwards.
Final score Fylde 14 Sale FC 10
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Sale FC v Hawick
This was a much more open game than the preceding one and the final match that followed. Sale started strongly and opened the scoring. Gradually the Scottish Champions got into the game and, with their fly-half directing traffic, used their running backs to good effect. The scores went to and fro before Hawick pulled away for a 35-19 victory.
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Hawick RFC v Fylde
Whilst Sale FC played a rather narrow game against Fylde, Hawick were more expansive and moved the ball wide whenever possible. The visitors also shaded the scrummages and lineouts but Fylde’s tackling was once again remorseless. They shaded the tackle breakdown and looked dangerous with ball in hand.
They opened the scoring when an attack down the left found Tom Carleton, playing centre on the day to cover for injuries to Sam Stott and Scott Rawlings, and he found just enough space to speed through a gap to touch down. The conversion was missed but Fylde had a 5-0 lead.
Both teams flooded the pitch with replacements and the Fylde youngsters warmed to their task. From a scrum inside the Hawick half, the visiting fly-half slightly delayed his clearance kick. Freddie Deeks was on him in a flash and charged it down. The bounce was favourable as the ball rolled over the Hawick goal line and Deeks won the race to the touchdown. By this time, Greg Smith had given way to Alex Clayton and he kicked a neat conversion to end the scoring at 12-0.
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This was a very successful afternoon for Fylde in what turned out an excellent three clubs format for a competitive pre-season runout. Whilst a couple more injuries were disappointing, the squad showed enough depth to compensate for these. Coaches Alex Loney and Chris Briers will have some interesting selection decisions to make ahead of the visit of Sheffield Tigers to the Woodlands on the opening day of the National League season next Saturday, 2nd Sept.
Chris Farrow’s photographs will be available shortly.