Another Roses battle as Fylde visit the Greens – and team news

Fylde make the trip to the beauty of Threshfield to take on our old friends of Wharfedale RUFC on Saturday (ko 14.00), our loyal supporters’ favourite away venue. The two clubs have once again been locked together in the top half dozen in National Two (North) this season. Currently, Fylde are in 4th spot and the Greens eight points fewer in 6th.

Everything is set up for another exciting, close encounter in the fashion of so many of the 32 previous matches between the clubs since the first in 1995-6. Fylde will have to raise their game away from the Woodlands following a disappointing record so far since Christmas, five successive defeats, the last three to Yorkshire clubs.

Wharfedale have also had a mixed season with a similar pattern of wins/defeats to Fylde. The difference in league points is principally down to Fylde earning 6 losing bonus points in close games as opposed to the Greens’ 2.

The Wharfedale pack has been traditionally strong in 2024-25 and will be a major threat to the visitors, especially with a very powerful driving maul near their opponents’ line. Fylde’s discipline will have to be exemplary if they are to avoid constantly defending their try line with the exhausting effect that this often brings.

Experienced front rowers like props Jake Armstrong and Sam Dickinson and hooker Robbie Collinson will be tough opponents for the Fylde guys including former ‘Dale product Pete Altham who’ll relish the challenge. Two old stagers, no 8s Rob Baldwin for the Greens and Fylde’s David Fairbrother, may renew their long established battles both for their clubs and for, respectively, Yorkshire v Lancashire.

Wharfedale’s leading try scorer is fullback Harry Bullough with 13 and their very experienced fly-half Robbie Davidson leads the points total overall with 110.

With the weather seemingly set fair, this promises to be top National League entertainment!