Wharfedale 39 v Fylde 43: match report by Simon Taylor
Fylde travelled to old foes Wharfedale in the picturesque setting of Threshfield in the Yorkshire Dales and came out on top in a high scoring game, just, as a very late try from Alex Clayton saw them maintain their 100% away record this season. This was after Wharfedale had edged ahead once again on 75 minutes in a game where the lead changed hands 5 times and the teams shared 11 tries, 6 going to Fylde.
Fylde welcomed back skipper Toby Harrison to the starting line-up and Greg Morgan to the bench after injury layoffs but lost Mike Walton in the week to injury. Injuries and unavailability have been a theme this season, and Wharfedale were no different, several regulars missing themselves. Fylde received the kick off playing away from the river with a fierce sun making high balls a challenge. The first error was an early knock on by Fylde which Wharfedale recycled left quickly, nippy winger Alfie Weston racing in for the try, converted by full back Archie Haddon as Fylde found themselves 7-0 down with barely a minute on the clock. It didn’t take Fylde long to respond, though, as a deep kick was fielded well by Dave Fairbrother, returned with interest by Danny Cassidy and Ben Turner, and two phases later Lewis Quinn muscled his way over wide on the right. Cassidy’s conversion drifted wide, but Fylde were on the board at 7-5 down.
The open nature of the game continued, Wharfedale having the better of the next 10 minutes. Their number 8 Joe Fawcett was a big ball carrier all day and made regular inroads into Fylde’s defensive structures. On 8 minutes some porous Fylde defence saw centre Bradley Viner over near the posts for the home side. Haddon converted, and knocked over a penalty on 13 minutes, and Fylde were suddenly 17-5 down, and needing a response. That came as good work by Cassidy and Adam Lanigan took Fylde close to the home try line and Quinn crashed over again, Cassidy converting this time to make it 17-12.
Fylde then had a good spell of pressure, accurate play at tempo stretching the home team. A late hit saw Dale’s prop Jake Armstrong yellow carded and Fylde set up shop in the home 22. Strong carries from Corey Bowker, Quinn and Will Greenwood created an opportunity for Fairbrother to pick and go around the edge and offload in the tackle, Ben Walton on hand to score near the posts, Cassidy converted and Fylde had the lead for the first time at 19-17 on 29 minutes. 5 minutes later the lead changed hands again as Fylde were caught creeping offside and Haddon knocked over another penalty for Dale to sneak ahead 20-19.
Just on half time there was a key moment. A neat Wharfedale chip kick and re-gather was fed out to the wing with clear space ahead, however the ball was spilled and Cassidy mopped up, counter attacking with a chip of his own. Although he could not gather this the next man up, Will Greenwood could, and he fed James Sutcliff who showed good pace to race in from the 22 for Fylde’s bonus point fourth try. Cassidy converted again, and Fylde had a 26-20 lead at the break.
Rob King replaced Oli Trippier in the front row, Trippier having put a good shift in, and Fylde had the slight slope advantage, with Wharfedale now having the dipping sun to contend with. It was Wharfedale, however, who made the first meaningful break of the half, good play forcing a penalty near Fylde’s line, from which they chose to scrummage. Penalty advantage was being played but not required as Dale probed away with the pick and go until prop Sam Dickinson forced his way over. Haddon’s conversion slid wide meaning Fylde still led, but narrowly, 26-25 up, 46 minutes gone.
Straight from the kick off Corey Bowker gathered on the full, set off on a barnstorming run, and Fylde were awarded a penalty, which they kicked to touch. The line out wasn’t clean, but Sam Stott tidied things up with a strong carry putting Dale on the back foot, the ball was spun wide left quickly and Will Hunt sliced through and dived over for the try, conversion good by Cassidy, a bit more breathing space at 33-25.
Matt Ashcroft and Cam Railton replaced Quinn and Sutcliff for Fylde and there was the longest spell of the game without the overworked scoreboard operator being troubled. Railton put himself about tackling hard in the loose and connecting with his line out jumpers well, as Fylde were forced into a long spell of defence by the home team. This told on 63 minutes as a catch and drive was pulled down near the Fylde line and Fairbrother was yellow carded. Wharfedale chose a scrum and from the next phase Viner stepped his man and strolled over under the posts for his brace, the conversion narrowing Fylde’s lead again to 33-32.
Fylde were now down a man for the next 10 minutes and lost another key player 2 minutes later as Sam Stott injured his shoulder and had to be replaced by Kyle Macaulay. Fylde did earn a penalty on 67 minutes and chose to kick at goal while down a man, Cassidy’s long ranger sailing through with room to spare, 36-32 meaning Dale would have to score a try to get back in front. Greg Morgan replaced Ben Walton, Fairbrother’s yellow was reversed, and things were getting tense as the business end of the game loomed.
Wharfedale girded their loins and a midfield error by Fylde, then a penalty at the scrum, allowed the home team to set up a line out 12 yards out. The catch and drive rumbled dangerously close to Fylde’s line, was finally negated, but prop Sam Dickinson barged over for his second try, Haddon converted, and Wharfedale had once again edged back in front 39-36, with just 5 minutes left.
Fylde went hunting for a final decisive try, Corey Bowker intercepting and setting up a great chance with Adam Lanigan jinking clear at the next phase only to be called back as the pass was deemed forward. On their next exit Dale chose to kick, Alex Clayton fielded and created space for Ben Turner to forage down the right wing. Turner’s pass inside found Macaulay in support, he was scragged by the cover defence but recycled well, Gabe Maguire took it on and found Clayton in support, who manged to free his arms, reach over his shoulder and just get over the line, as Wharfedale’s defensive efforts were in vain. Cassidy converted in off the post, and Fylde had snatched the lead again, 43-39.
The match card has the try at 80 minutes, but time was not yet up on the ref’s watch, and there was a very nervous 90 seconds that felt a lot longer. Fylde fielded the kick off, but a hail Mary pass went sailing back towards their own line. Ben Turner tidied, and after several pick and goes the ball was kicked out on the Fylde 22. Still there was time for one more play and Fylde managed to spoil Wharfedale’s line out, keep the ball and boot it out as the ref confirmed time was up.
This was another game that could have gone either way, but after a narrow defeat at home to Tynedale Fylde were relieved to get this one over the line in their favour. Alex Clayton was named a deserved Fylde man of the match by Wharfedale, Toby Harrison will have slept well after his usual no holds barred display despite being his first game back in over a month, and Cam Railton acquitted himself well. Once again the whole squad worked hard to achieve a win in what is a tough, physical and attritional league.
With the top 6 all winning Fylde remain in fifth place on 31 points. They now face another difficult home game as they welcome second placed Darlington Mowden Park to the Woodlands next week.
Joint Head Coach Chris Briers said: “In the 1st half we looked comfortable with the ball, scored some good tries, but a few defensive errors meant that the game was pretty close. The 2nd half became a little bit scrappy, but we finished off a couple of opportunities which meant that we sealed the win. We were also unfortunate to get a try disallowed for a forward pass. The players debated this but I wasn’t in line so couldn’t tell. All in all, travelling away to Wharfedale is always difficult so we were really pleased to come away with maximum points. We’re now looking forward now to the next game at home to DMP on Saturday.
Click here for video coverage of all the scores: https://bit.ly/47Ky8rA
Fylde: Clayton, Lanigan, Cassidy, Stott (Macauley 66), Turner, Hunt, Maguire, Fairbrother, Harrison (Captain), Quinn (Ashcroft 49), Greenwood, Walton B (Morgan 71), Bowker, Sutcliff (Railton 49), Trippier (King 40)
Wharfedale: Haddon, Cherry, Viner, Bullough, Weston, Bell M. (Bell W. 80), Riddiough (Kaup-Samuels 65), Fawcett, Wills, Tweedale (Ward 65), Hedgley, Borrill, Armstrong, Stockdale, Dickinson (Meehan 80).
