Everyone knows that pre-season results are far less important than the manner of the performances by the competing teams. Perhaps the most encouraging aspect for Fylde was the quality of the numerous young players they fielded, some of whom were playing for the Colts a few months ago.
They were missing a number of senior players including skipper Toby Harrison and vice-captain David Fairbrother. In their absence, Sam Stott skippered the team for the first time and, when he was replaced later in the match, Tom Forster took on the leadership.
It was good to see the new brood of talent involved at some stage in the match. This included a return to action by Will Atkinson, 1st XV debuts for Brad Clark, Dan Cowburn, Stan Matthews, Cam McIntyre, Max Senior, Toby Curran and Kyle Macaulay, and newcomers James Sutcliffe and Danny Cassidy.
Fylde started in a positive fashion and opened the scoring in the 4th minute. New young hooker James Sutcliffe, made the break but his pass didn’t go to hand. However, a few phases later lock Greg Morgan crashed over, Alex Clayton adding the extras. 0-7.
Blackburn pressed the visitors back, earned a penalty at the scrummage but Fylde regained possession and made ground into the Blackburn half. They thought they had scored but the referee adjudged a forward pass as Max Senior dived over the line. A couple of minutes later in the 13th minute they attacked again and after multiple phases Kyle Macauley dotted down for a 0-12 advantage.
In the 16th minute Senior was taken in the air after a re-start and at the subsequent penalty scrum-half Ben Gould went deep into the home half and wing Ben Turner was on hand to finish off from close range. Clayton converted for a 0-19 lead.
The pressure switched to the other end and Blackburn won a penalty and kicked for the corner. From the ensuing line-out the home pack drove over for their opening score, 7-19. The game was played in two 30 minute sections followed by a final 20 minutes so at the end of the first period Blackburn were very much back in the game.
Fylde began to struggle somewhat in the scrums and conceded another penalty which came to nothing. In the 38th minute a long Blackburn kick downfield only for winger Leo Gillibrand to run it back with interest.
In the 40th minute, Gillibrand turned to punishing defence as his tackle dislodged the ball in contact. Scrum-half Gabe Maguire collected the loose ball and kicked behind the home defence. Gilliland picked up and scored under the posts, his 4th try in the two preseason games. Clayton added the two points for a 7-26 lead.
Fylde really had the bit between their teeth now and, after some smart play by Clayton, Turner was set free and he scored his 2nd try. 7-31.
In the 48th minute, new lock forward Will Greenwood demonstrated his speed and support play by notching his debut try for the Club. Another interesting newcomer, Danny Cassidy, has linked up with the Woodlands club following a rugby league career topped up by a spell at Wigan RUFC. The powerful centre is also a good goal kicker and assumed this responsibility when Clayton took a break to add the extras to Greenwood’s try. 7-38.
In the 52nd minute Maguire turned from supplier to scorer when he capitalised on a good kick return to get the touch down, with Cassidy adding the extras. The points were rattling up now when in the 58th minute winger Adam Lanigan chipped ahead evading the fast supporting Maguire. However, prop Chris Rudkin was on hand to get the touchdown. 7-50 at the end of the second 30 minutes of play.
The rest period didn’t break the more or less continuous Fylde attacks. Directly from a Fylde scrummage in the 64th minute, Lanigan grabbed the try. Cassidy converted once again for 7-57.
As more Fylde pressure in the Blackburn half built up, Will Greenwood grabbed his 2nd try from close range whilst Cassidy kicked a fine conversion from out wide.
In the 75th minute another regular Hawks player last season, Kyle Macaulay, finished off a fluent back move for his 2nd try of the afternoon and Cassidy again converted. 7-71.
The final stanza ended with Fylde’s 12th try as acting skipper Tom Forster chipped across the pitch and Lanigan needed no second invitation to complete his brace of tries. Cassidy ended the scoring with the conversion for a 7-78 final total.
It was a useful warm-up for Fylde and all credit to Blackburn’s squad for not letting their heads drop. The Woodlands club is once again very grateful for the generous hospitality from their hosts. Good luck for the new season for everyone at Ramsgreave Drive!
Click here for a Facebook Reel taken from the game.
FYLDE
