This was a fierce and highly competitive game. The young Wanderers team held up very well against more experienced and bigger opponents. Only when the Battalion called uncontested scrums in the 2nd half, despite having a large squad of massive players, did the Fylde youngsters bend to their superior power.

The Green Howards brought 27 players to the Woodlands, 26 of them Fijian. Only South African lock Hendrik Bekker broke up the South Seas dominance. Fijians bring a zest and sparkle to rugby at any level - and a hard, physical dimension to their play which saw several Fylde players picking up cuts and bruises, with a nice black eye for lock Grant Ferguson.

The Fylde team were ably led by the impressive Ali Atkinson and he had an experienced core of lieutenants in Ferguson, Greg Johnson, Adam Lewis & Mark Stephenson. But perhaps the outstanding forward was the immensely promising Richard de Carpentier, Kirkham Grammar's skipper. Although not a huge young man, he has natural talent, great hands, speed and toughness. He scored a superb break away try to give the Wanderers a 13-0 lead.

But the uncontested scrums in the 2nd half undermined the Wanderers technical advantage and allowed the Army to run at a tiring Fylde defence. The Fijian soldiers needed no further encouragement as they sprayed the ball around in fine fashion and scored three tries out wide.

But this was an encouraging performance from a Fylde team which included a number of last year's Colts players. This was certainly a baptism of fire for the youngsters but they came through with flying colours. And the effervescent Islanders and their watching families created a lively and happy atmosphere on a pleasant late summer day at the Woodlands.

It's hoped that some of the Army players will come to the Woodlands to play club rugby in the claret & gold home shirts. They'll get a warm welcome!

Photos courtesy of Rees Tudor-Davies.