Fylde 21 Tynedale 62

Following a respectable first half at the end of which the home side trailed Tynedale by 14-17, the North Easterners turned on the style and completely ripped apart the Fylde defence in the second period. They scored no fewer than seven tries during that 40 minutes. Fylde battled away and scored the final try to round off a cautionary experience that will give the coaches plenty to think about as they prepare for the first league game against Huddersfield at the Woodlands next Saturday.

Tynedale scored the first try of the afternoon after 10 minutes following a period of sustained pressure on the Fylde line. The home defence was already under the cosh as their scrummage was never secure and their lineout ball rather a lottery. Tynedale played the new experimental laws with great enthusiasm, always looking to run the ball from every part of the pitch and hardly ever kicking to touch. In comparison Fylde looked rather as if they were playing under the old laws but at this stage of the contest managed to paper over the cracks with last ditch defence and opportunistic attacks.

Scrum half Craig Aikman scored Fylde's first try on 15 minutes, made by Nick Royle's dramatic burst down the right touchline and kick ahead. Royle then scored a try in the corner only for it to be overruled for a foot in touch as he was in the act of scoring. But he made up for it 10 minutes later when he was put away in his own half and scorched past a despairing Tyne defence. 14-5 up and matters looked very positive for the home side. But the afternoon started to unravel in the five minute period before half-time as the visitors exposed some weak Fylde defending and scored two tries in their left corner. One was converted and Tyne had a 17-14 lead at the interval.

Injury had forced Fylde fullback Mike Waywell off after 20 minutes and Dan Loader replaced him. With next week's league opener in the front of coach Mark Nelson's mind skipper Roger Banks and fellow lock Nick King had also picked up knocks and were withdrawn at the break, along with the voracious Nick Royle.

What was to come in the first 35 minutes of the second period was a total destruction of Fylde's defences as Tynedale took complete control of the game. Their scrummage was now totally dominant, shoving the Fylde eight backwards at a rate of knots on their own ball. They were first to the loose ball and the tackle breakdown and gave a brilliant display of continuity and support play.

As Tynedale ran the ball from all parts of the pitch, Fylde's play imploded. They rarely wrestled any possession from the visitors and their defence cracked in the most dramatic style. Tynedale scored seven tries in a one-sided display of running rugby. England U'20s star Rob Miller and Gavin Beasley, both with Newcastle Falcons Premiership experience, also found their goal kicking range and converted five of the tries.

The last laugh on an afternoon of few for Fylde came in the final minutes of the game. Winger Oli Brennand lookes sharp throughout and had several dangerous runs. He broke away once more from half-way and found flanker Dan Palmer in support. Palmer held the ball up well and linked with Martin Wallwork who darted through the Tyne defence to go under the posts. Steve Nutt converted and covered a modicum of embarrassment for his side on a one-sided afternoon.

Whilst Fylde will rarely come up against such slick opponents in National Three (North) this season, it was a stark warning to their coaches and players about the standards that they have to achieve if they are to mount a sustained promotion campaign. There's much to be worked on ahead of Huddersfield's visit next Saturday and not a moment on the training pitch must be wasted.

A good crowd turned out on a sunny afternoon and a considerable sum was raised for the Help for Heroes charity campaign to assist injured services personnel.

Photos below by Rees Tudor-Davies. Final three courtesy of John McVitie.

Click here for Simon Gardiner's album of 70 action photos from the game.