A tight, error strewn game at the Woodlands resulted in a 17-10 win for the home team against determined Lancashire neighbours. Blackburn dominated the first 40 minutes and took the lead through a Tom Mayo try down the right in the 8th minute. Blackburn’s big forwards were rampaging around and through some indeterminate Fylde tackling and the home side’s handling also was fallible.
Fylde hit back in the 15th minute through a typical piece of opportunism by winger Freddie Reader who tidied up ball on halfway, chipped over a startled Blackburn defence and raced through to get the touchdown in the in-goal area.
Fylde were at last getting into their stride as they attacked dangerously down their right. However, a wide pass was anticipated by Blackburn’s Nathan George who intercepted and raced from halfway to score.
Two yellow cards to Fylde players didn’t help their cause just before half-time and Blackburn had a deserved 5-10 lead at the break.
Fylde plugged away in the 2nd half and, back to 15 players, sought an equalising score. It was Reader again who lit the fuse. He weaved his way right around a number of defenders before whipping the ball out to flanker Lewis Quinn who raced clear along the touchline and finished off in style.10-10.
In the final 15 minutes, Fylde pressurised the visitors’ defence earning a succession of penalties. Eventually, lock forward Greg Morgan forced his way over the line for the winning score. The only successful goal kick of the afternoon was converted by Lucas Atherton. 17-10 at FT.
A free weekend coming up before the league season starts away at @sheffield_rufc_official
Click here for Chris Farrow’s album of match photographs.
Fylde squad:
BACKS: A Clayton, A Gaughan, B Turner, C Cadley, D Slawson, F Reader, K Macauley, L Atherton, O Fisher, S Stott, T Armstrong, T Forster.
FORWARDS: B Dorrington, C Bowker, C McIntyre, C Rudkin, G Morgan, L Quinn, M Garrod, M Walton, O Trippier, P Altham, R Horan, R Kincart, R King,
R Williamson, T Harrison.
