Fylde 26 Sale Sharks 38

This was useful run out for both clubs as Fylde welcomed a mixed Sharks team of 1st team and Academy talent to the Woodlands. A big crowd enjoyed the sunny weather and perfect conditions for running rugby. Fylde perhaps learned more from this game than the Sharks and by using 32 players did well to keep the match competitive throughout.

The first 27 minutes was very hard fought as the Fylde defence was thoroughly tested by the territorially dominant Sharks. Young flanker Ben Vernon was prominent in an all action display for the home side and good tackling and fierce contact at the breakdown kept the scoreboard blank. A strong break by debutant centre Scott Barrow, who had a fine 1st half before retiring with a minor leg injury, took Fylde deep into the Sharks half but the opportunity was wasted.

The Fylde forwards worked very hard and their tackling and play in the tight and loose was gritty and courageous. The front row gave little away all afternoon and new prop Dan Birchall fitted in well alongside Alex Loney and Pete Altham. Paul Arnold and Roger Banks battled hard in the engine room and Rob Taylor was prominent in the backrow alongside Sam Beaumont and Vernon.

The Sharks battled back and 30m out from the Fylde line they moved the ball left swiftly to winger Tom Brady who touched down for a good try in the corner. Fly-half Jordan Davies converted beautifully from the touchline. Five minutes later there was a repeat of the move and Brady scored an even better try from further out. When, on 38 minutes, Davies cut a neat line through an underpopulated Fylde midfield to score with ease, it looked like the Sharks would really cut loose. He converted his own try for a 19-0 half-time lead.

Early in the 2nd period, the always influential centre Johnny Leota set up Brady for his third try under the posts. At 0-26 down Fylde were looking at a big defeat as they brought on numerous young replacements.

But it was time for a mix of youngsters and old heads to get the home side back in contention. Warren Spragg, returning from six seasons in Italy, injected pace and trickery in the Fylde backline when he entered the fray in the 2nd half. He got on the end of a neat move down the Fylde right on 50 minutes and scored his first try after a gap of 10 seasons away from the Woodlands. Another big signing, fly-half Chris Johnson, converted and played an even bigger part in the game when ten minutes later he intercepted a loose Sharks pass and raced in from 45m for an opportunistic try.

Suddenly, the Fylde backs were cutting loose and a smart bout of inter-passing between Spragg & Johnson saw 19 year old centre Ralph Dowds touch down for a fine try. Johnson converted and his side was now just 19-26 in arrears.

Sale came back strongly and man of the match Brady scored his fourth try with ease. Nick McLeod  had by then taken over from Davies at fly-half and converted for a 33-19 advantage.

But again Fylde struck back. A lovely break by Burnley trialist Jack Stockdale saw him link up with Spragg who scored with aplomb. But the Sharks had the last word as McLeod cleverly set up fullback Mike Haley for the final score of the game. In one of the most interesting match-ups of the afternoon, it was an honourable draw between elder brother Sam Beaumont for Fylde and sibling Josh making his debut for the Sharks.

Other young Fylde players who made appearances, some of them in cameos as replacements, and contributed well deserve a mention: starting wingers Ben Rath & Curtis Strong (replacing Oli Brennand who was carrying an injury), hookers Jake Nickson & Oli Trippier, props Max Ashcroft, Tom McGuinness & Luca Angelone, backrowers Danny Maher & Charlie Cook, wing Tom Halsall, centres Charles Hough & Mike Simmons. The experience of scrum-half Ryan de la Harpe, fly-half Richard Kenyon & lock Adam Jackson was invaluable.

With other members of the squad who were regular starters last season still to come into selection contention - Oli Brennand, skipper Evan Stewart, Tom Lavelle, Steve McGinnis & Chris Briers watching, Jonny Roddam & Gareth Rawlings away yesterday and Josh Beaumont playing for the Sharks - it looks in pretty good shape for the tough National One challenge ahead. 

Fylde Head Coach Mark Nelson said: “I was never going to be concerned about the scoreline in the game. I'm very pleased by the performance which featured strong displays by the senior newcomers in the squad as well as some excellent work by a batch of young guys who integrated into our game plan very well. To make eight clean line breaks against such a good set of opposing players was exceptional. From a 0-19 deficit, we scored 26 against the Sharks' 19 in the 2nd half.

"It was great to see the Sale stars such as Danny Cipriani & Richie Gray on the sidelines mixing with the supporters. The Sharks won a lot of friends by their visit today and demonstrated their commitment to supporting rugby in the North West. The visit cements the close relationship between the two clubs.”

What of a player's view of the game? Returning former skipper Roger Banks said: "It was tremendous to be back playing at this level again and against quality opposition. I loved it! The first 30 minutes was so intense. And I lasted 55 minutes too!"

Click here for a match report on the Sharks website.

Scorers:

FYLDE: Tries - Spragg 50, 72. Johnson 60. Dowds 66.
Conv. - Johnson 51, 67, 73.

SALE SHARKS: Tries – Brady 27, 34, 43, 68. Davies 38. Haley 78.
Conv. - Davies 28, 39, 44. McLeod 69.

FYLDE: 15 Olly Viney; 14 Ben Rath, 13 Stephen Briers, 12 Scott Barrow, 11 Curtis Strong; 10 Chris Johnson, 9 Martin Wallwork; 1 Dan Birchall, 2 Alex Loney, 3 Peter Altham, 4 Paul Arnold, 5 Roger Banks, 6 Rob Taylor, 7 Ben Vernon, 8 Sam Beaumont.

Replacements: 16 Alistair Livesey, 17 Jake Nickson, 18 Max Ashcroft, 19 Tom McGuinness, 20 Adam Jackson, 21 Danny Maher, 22 Jack Stockdale, 23 Charlie Cook, 24 Luca Angelone, 25 Oli Trippier, 26 Ryan de la Harpe, 27 Richard Kenyon, 28 Tom Halsall, 29 Mike Simmons, 30 Charles Hough, 31 Warren Spragg, 32 Ralph Dowds.

SHARKS: 15.Mike Haley, 14.Tom Brady, 13.Charlie Ingall, 12.Johnny Leota, 11.Charlie Amesbury, 10.Jordan Davies, 9.Will Cliff, 1.Aston Croall, 2.Tommy Taylor, 3.Ross Harrison, 4.Tom Holmes (capt), 5.Josh Beaumont, 6.Will Bordill, 7.Billy Emerson, 8.James Doyle.

Replacements: 16 Will Hafu, 17 Tom Cruse, 18 James Flynn, 19 Vadim Cobilas, 20 James Gaskell, 21 Danny Kennedy, 22 Cillian Willis, 23 Nick Macleod, 24 Will Addison.

ATTENDANCE: 750

Below, excellent photos courtesy of Chris Farrow. Also, click here for another match selection, by 'Pride, Passion, Party!' on Facebook.