Hull Ionians 14 v Fylde 36: match report by Simon Taylor
[Photo above courtesy of Ionians’ Malcolm Knowles]
Fylde made the familiar trip back across the M62 in much better spirits this week as they brought back a full complement of 5 league points. Following on the fine form they showed in last week’s win at home against Otley, Fylde outscored the hosts 5 tries to 2, with a brace apiece for skipper Gregory and winger Sam Carleton. The fifth score, and try of the day, went to ‘Tall Tom’ Burrow, as he is already affectionately known, as he finished off a flowing 70-yard move. Greg Smith may have missed the first conversion of the day, to end a run of 17 consecutive extra 2 pointers, but he then nailed 4 difficult add-ons to start another run, added a penalty, and produced another fine all-round display to boss Fylde around the park. The last half hour was probably Fylde’s best 30 minutes of rugby this campaign, as the tempo and accuracy levels clicked into gear and saw them pull away from a spirited but tiring Ionians team, perhaps somewhat low on confidence after a difficult start to the season, including a change in the coaching structure recently.
The pleasant surroundings of Brantingham Park, and the fine hospitality on offer, always makes Ionians a trip to savour, and a slightly chilly but dry, still day, meant perfect playing conditions. Games between the two teams have traditionally been very close, but with Ionians languishing in unfamiliar territory second from bottom, with 3 league wins from 10 starts, Fylde, having had a difficult start to the season themselves, felt this was a game they could target to get that elusive second away win of the season under their belts. A quick start was essential, and they got it, dominating the early possession, territory, and penalty count. With players back from injury, suddenly some good players can’t even get in the match day squad, frustrating for them but a nice headache for coaches Alex Loney and Chris Briers.
A notable returnee who hit the ground running last week was specialist inside centre, the strong running Sam Stott. It is great to see him back playing after 2 unfortunate and horrendous injuries in a short period. In just the second minute his strong burst through the middle led to quickly recycled ball 5 yards out, but a bullet pass went to ground, and the early chance was missed. Fylde did not have to wait long to open the scoring though, as in the 10th minute another penalty kick to touch set up an Oli Parkinson take and the catch and drive. Skipper Ben Gregory got his hands on the ball and touched down to get Fylde going at 5-0.
Ionians, on their own midden, were stung into action and got a toe-hold in the game, although they failed to capitalise on their first scoring opportunity, as Lewis Minikin, in a rarely seen event, missed a 13th minute penalty attempt. Ionians had felt their way into the game now, and when their own catch and drive was set up in the 18th minute, it was illegally hauled down as it rumbled towards the line. The referee awarded a penalty try and banished Toby Harrison to the sin bin. Fylde were 7-5 down and a man light for 10 minutes. Harrison is having a great season and standing in admirably for the sorely missed Dave Fairbrother at number 8, but maybe someone needs to tell him he isn’t obliged to take over Fairy’s place at the top of the custard-coloured cards chart as well whilst he is the current incumbent in that shirt.
Fylde navigated this (first) yellow card period safely, in fact they re-took the lead 8-7 when Smith knocked over a penalty in the 18th minute. With parity restored they then went on to score a lovely try in the 31st minute. This time, from a lineout 10m out, the catch & drive was dummied, Matt Garrod, relishing his new playmaker role, played link man with the backs and Jordan Dorrington came in off his wing to get involved twice and create space for winger Sam Carleton to race in wide out. Smith converted for 15-7. Despite some further chances this is how it stayed at half time, although Fylde did end the half with 14 men, as this time Oli Parkinson was yellow carded for a high tackle, an offence both teams struggled with all day.
The only concerns for Fylde were that their lead should have been greater at the break, and they have tended to start the second stanza slowly on occasions this season. That happened again, as Ionians took just 2 minutes to narrow the gap to a single point. It was their blind side winger Nathan Hill’s turn to create the space this time as a nice backs move saw the other winger, Sam Wilson, dot down for a good try, no doubt pleasing his dad, president Pat Wilson, a gregarious and excellent host, both pre- and post-match. Minikin’s radar was back on song and the conversion made it a nervy 15-14 to Fylde.
Fylde’s brains trust rang the changes. Tom Burrow, on at half-time, was soon joined by the other long-term absentee who made his return last week, Scott Rawlings, on in the 48th minute for Sam Stott. At the same time Ionians sub Manoa Wacokecoke joined the fray, only to be yellow carded a minute later, again for a high tackle. With Parkinson’s 10 minutes over, the 15 to 14 advantage went immediately from Ionians to Fylde, and it was a pivotal moment, the start of an excellent half hour for Fylde. Smith kicked them to 5 yards out again, and, although Ionians managed to negate the catch and drive this time, Fylde flung the ball wide with speed for Sam Carleton to touch down for his second try, stealing family bragging rights this weekend. Smith nailed a beauty from wide out and Fylde were two scores ahead again at 22-14.
Fylde were now clicking through the gears and the extra variety of weapons they have with the returning players is noticeable. Big Scott may not have been fashioned from the same mould as Sam Stott, but he is most certainly a handful. It was taking two or sometimes three players to haul this rampaging human wildebeest down and this inevitably left gaps in the opposition defence elsewhere. Fast clear-out, speed of service and ball retention then stressed and strained that defence even further. Keep the ball long enough and the gaps appear, or penalties ensue. Penalties were kicked to touch, and Gregory kept hitting tall, taller, and tallest, Parkinson, Garrod, and Burrow, starving the opposition of possession. Strong carrying from all was setting up field position. Ionians were a game bunch, but the pressure had to tell. Ionians managed to sack Garrod at another 5-yard line out, but Ben Gregory picked the ball up and carried strongly, just managing to spin and twist out of the last tackle and touch down. Valiant defence finally breached, conversion from wide out belted over again, and Fylde were 29-14 in front on 67 minutes.
This score seemed to break the back of the gallant home team and allow Fylde to express themselves even more freely. From the re-start the ball went left then came back right at speed. Miss passes from Smith and Rawlings gave prop Tye Raymont, a hell of a big unit for a teenager, space to run at the unfortunate Ionians winger, who was dismissed with an almighty ‘sit down’ hand off. Raymont drew the next man and put Sam Carleton clear, he, in turn, drew the covering defence and put the ball back inside. Not to be outdone by his fellow Sale dual registered teen, Tom Burrow had kept up in support and he pinched the ball off Raymont to take the last tackle and use his long wingspan to touch down, try of the game, which deserved another excellent conversion from Smith, and the score had blown out to 36-14.
Ionians, to their credit, fought back into the game and gave Fylde a real test in the last 10 minutes. They camped down deep and forced a few penalties, one of which saw man of the match Tom Forster become Fylde’s third yellow card on 77 minutes. Despite the game being won, and a third try for Ionians not counting for anything but pride, Fylde showed their stinginess in defence as well, managing the game out and forcing a final error to bring the final whistle.
The last two weeks have seen a noticeable step up in Fylde’s performance levels, as injured players return and the Sale dual registered youth brigade settle in and gel with the squad. The experience they gain from National 2 North rugby will stand them in good stead, and having them on board is of huge benefit to Fylde, even if it means it is sometimes difficult to balance the development of local players with the demands of playing at level 4 in a highly competitive league, the remit of the coaches is to win league games after all. Fylde sit in 6th place now, only 3 points off third placed Wharfedale. With just two league games left before the new year, both at home, the other Hull on the 2nd December and the local derby against Hoppers on the 16th, Fylde will be looking to keep their recent form going and finish the calendar year with 2 more wins.
Coach Chris Briers said: “Yesterday was another good win backing up a good performance against Otley. We always felt like we were in control of the game and were able to limit the opportunities Ionians had whilst creating plenty of our own. We felt like we could have scored a few more tries but overall, we were very happy, the team is starting to take shape better and the performances we were looking for earlier in the season are starting to come. Hopefully this is the start of a run of performances at this level.”
Teams:
Fylde: T. Carleton, Dorrington (Lanigan 66), Forster, Stott (Rawlings), S. Carleton (Dorrington 70), Smith,
Wooton, Bowker (Brooks 61), Gregory (c), Altham (Raymont 30), Garrod, Parkinson, Hall-Lyon (Burrow 40), Harrison (Hall-Lyon 61), Bentley.
Ionians: Minikin, Wilson, Britton, Stowe (Wakokecoke 48), Hill, Pocklington, Thompson (McDaniel 60),
Laverick, Forth (Upton 70), Walker (Edwards 30), Makin, Gascoigne, Powell (Mewburn 70), Sanderson J.,
Mewburn (Sanderson C. 48).
