Match sponsor:

Fylde will be looking to build on their fine, last minute win at Tynedale when they welcome Cambridge RUFC on Saturday for their first ever league visit to the Woodlands for an attractive National One fixture, a rearrangement of the game frozen off on 11th February. Note that there is an early kick-off at 14.00 which will allow spectators to watch live 6 Nations coverage of England v Wales at 16.00 in the Clubhouse, so it's hoped that another big crowd will have an excellent afternoon of rugby.

Fylde are in 3rd place in the division, equal on 76 points with 2nd place Ealing Trailfinders. They will also be looking for revenge for a 29-49 loss at Volec Park in October, by some degree the highest number of points they have conceded all season. Cambridge, currently in 8th place, have played at the Woodlands just once, in October 2005 in an EDF Trophy cup tie in which Fylde edged home narrowly by 13-10. Richard Kenyon scored the Lancastrians' only try that day and will be hoping to repeat that performance six seasons later.

The 'Blood & Sands' were one of the pre-season favourites to challenge for promotion but things haven't worked out that way. They finished in 3rd place last season in a spirited campaign despite financial problems which caused them some difficulties.

They have struggled somewhat this season despite notching up a run of seven wins in eight games in September & October. They have had good wins at Tynedale (23-15), Coventry (29-27), Birmingham (49-20), Cinderford (23-16) & Barking (22-20) and have victories at home over Rosslyn Park (36-32), Blackheath (42-27), Tynedale (23-21) & Coventry (35-27). But heavy defeats at Volac Park to Jersey (13-54), Wharfedale (17-31) and Birmingham & Solihull (15-30) last Saturday have been setbacks for a club with a fine home record in recent seasons.

The story of the rise of Cambridge is a fascinating one, typifying a lot of the issues in National League rugby since the onset of professionalism. In 2003 they languished at level six in London 2. A new management and strategic approach kick started a dramatic rise through the divisions as well as a major programme of physical development at Volac Park and a commercial plan involving many sponsors. Three successive promotions between 2003/4 and 2005/6 took the club to National One and they have flourished at this level since. In the last three seasons they have finished 2nd, 4th & 3rd.

Last season was a momentous one for the Club. It survived a winding up order from HMRC for unpaid taxes, principally through the generous donation of £170k from sponsors and supporters. It then returned to community club status from a '1st team only' model and re-established other senior teams and a community coaching set-up working with local schools, in a similar fashion to Fylde. The changed basis of financing the Club inevitably meant a reduction in the 1st team playing budget and the use of many more locally developed young players in the 1st team squad. Yet the playing squad survived this turmoil in fine fashion and managed to finish in 4th place.

In recent weeks financial problems have resurfaced and in a decisive move early in the New Year their management released popular Director of Rugby Bob Crookes and cancelled the paid contracts of their entire squad. This brave measure is designed to save the Club and establish a sound financial basis for the future. They are now run on an amateur basis and this change has led to a number of players moving to other clubs. The following players have now left the Club: Tom Fidler (prop), Darren Fox (flanker), Ben Cooper (prop), Tom Wheatcroft (centre), Ian Ashcroft-Leigh (lock), Anders Morgensen (wing), Toby Berridge (centre) & James Ingles (backrow).

Chairman Steve Bowller said: "Next season looks like we will be playing National 1 rugby unless there is a miracle from those in the relegation zone. Whatever happens it will be expenses only and the club will have a small budget set aside for that. We will continue with our Community Coaching programme which goes from strength to strength and does provide paid employment for some of the players."

Such a haemorrhage of talent is clearly a setback but the squad's spirited latest performance in beating Coventry shows the level of commitment amongst the remaining players. Former player and coach Glen Remnant has returned to the club to take over the management reins and the New Zealander is a resourceful presence who will give excellent leadership.

Cambridge have a strong pack which caused Fylde serious problems back in October and features backrower Gareth McComb (ex-Nottingham, Birmingham & Rotherham), lock Bryn Jenkins (ex-Launceston & Plymouth A), hooker Ben Hunter (ex-Gloucester) and powerful no 8 Stephen Hipwell.

The half-back partnership is made up of scrum-half Danny Hunter (ex-Moseley) and fly-half Elliott Bale who also carries goal kicking responsibilities. Dangerous runners include wing Mike Ayrton, centre Will Lawson (ex-Birmingham, London Welsh, Leicester Tigers) and South African fullback Darryl Veenendaal (formerly with Bedford & Northampton Saints).

Leading try scorers include the departed Tom Fidler (10) and Anders Morgensen (9) whilst the top points scorer is the former centre Tom Wheatcroft with 137.

Their line-up for the game is:

15 Delaray Veenendaal; 14 Mike Ayrton, 13 Will Lawson, 12 Adam White, 11 Pat Tapley; 10 Elliot Bale, 9 Danny Hunter; 1 Mike Shaw, 2 Jarrod Taylor, 3 Ben Cooper, 4 Matt Dunn, 5 Bryn Jenkins, 6 Gaz McComb, 7 Jimmy Mayhew, 8 Steve Hipwell.

Replacements: 16 Leven Stapleton, 17 Ben Hunter, 18 Harry Robbins, 19 Alex Kelsall, 20 Albert Portsmouth.

Click here for Glen Remnant's thought on the match in the Cambridge News.

----------------

Fylde make four changes to their starting line-up compared with last week's team at Tynedale. The only alteration in the backs sees Callum McShane coming in at scrum-half. Amongst the forwards, props Simon Griffiths and Alex Loney take their turn on rotation. In the backrow Mark Stephenson is named at openside flanker.

Amongst the replacements, former KEQMS student Rob Taylor will make his 1st team debut at some stage in the match. The backrower, now a student at Manchester University, recently made his debut for the Lancashire U'20s squad.

15 Nick Royle; 14 Chris Briers, 13 Stephen Briers, 12 Mike Waywell, 11 Oliver Brennand; 10 Steve Collins, 9 Callum McShane; 1 Simon Griffiths, 2 Jonny Roddam, 3 Alex Loney, 4 Paul Arnold, 5 Gareth Rawlings, 6 Evan Stewart, 7 Mark Stephenson, 8 Sam Beaumont.

Replacements: 16 Alistair Livesey, 17 Tom Lavelle, 18 Rob Taylor, 19 Martin Wallwork, 20 Oliver Viney.

Scrum-half Steve Depledge who cut his hand badly last Thursday evening is expecting the stitches to be removed next Tuesday and hopes to return to action in the next couple of weeks.

---------------------------------

NB The photo from the October 2011 match between the two clubs on the home page of this site is courtesy of Cambridge photographer Chris Fell.

---------------------------------

Match officials: Referee Thomas Davis; AR1 James Minards, AR2 Andrew Gardner.

---------------------------------

Match sponsor:

The Club is delighted to welcome the staff and guests of Chadwicks to the Woodlands as Saturday's match sponsors. We hope that they have a great afternoon out. Now with more than 8 different departments and nearly 50 staff, Chadwicks stock over 10,000 different lines from kitchens, sheet materials, doors and plastics, to paints, floorings and worktops. Not to mention the largest timber yard and saw mill on the Fylde coast! Whether you're new to the world of D.I.Y or a confident home improver, Chadwicks can help in all aspects of house and home refurbishment.

Call in at their premises on Mowbray Drive, Blackpool, or call them on 01253 301253. For further information go to their website at www.chadwicks-blackpool.co.uk