This season’s U16s has seen quite a few changes over the summer with a few players leaving and some new faces. Unfortunately a full strength squad was not available for the first fixture of the season away at Sedgley Park on Sunday 20th September so the Fylde U15s provided some players to allow the game to go ahead.

Sedgley were also suffering from a lack of numbers especially in the front row which meant that all the scrums were uncontested from the kickoff. Fylde started the game and the first 20 minutes were even with both sides making forays into opposition territory but with both defences holding firm. Fylde however seemed to be at the receiving end of a number of decisions against them by the referee and unfortunately a bit too much “back chat” led to the sending off of a key Fylde player on the 20 minute mark.

What had started off as potentially difficult game just got that bit harder as the 14 Fylde boys who had not all played together before the day, had to defend, defend, and defend! To their immense credit they held out to half time without a score but it was obvious to the travelling support that they were beginning to tire and with a number of injuries further hampering  their efforts.

Facing a long second half they started where they had finished before the break and defended almost constantly but inevitably the superior numbers of Sedgley eventually told and they scored from a 5m tap penalty to lead 5-0.

Fylde continued to try and attack and went close on a couple of occasions when Joe Virco made telling breaks. On one of these he was high tackled but broke free to only be brought back for the penalty with no advantage seemingly being allowed much to the bemusement of players and supporters alike!. On a second occasion good work by the back line saw him with the ball and after beating several defenders he was finally brought down by the Sedgley full back just metres from the line.

More injuries and increasing tiredness eventually meant that Sedgley ran in a further two unconverted tries to lead 15-0 before the game was stopped early by the referee to prevent the risk of more serious injury to tired Fylde players.

Considering Fylde were fielding two new players in the form of Sam Smith and Bradley Gardner (first ever game of rugby union) along with four U15 coupled with having only 14 players for most of the match against a full U16 side that has already played this season, they can take more positives than negatives from the encounter.

Thanks to Richard Todd U15’s Manager and the U15’s players and parents.

Final Score: Fylde 0 Sedgley Park 15

Fylde squad: U16s: Tom Nye, Bradley Gardner, Joe Virco, Stephan Khun,Connor Miles, Alex Roper, Sam Madden, Oliver Trippier, James Everett, Will Stones, Paul Barker, Sam Smith, Joe Clough
U15s: Andrew Lund, Tom Benstead, Mathew Todd, Will Nash

John Roper

U16s Manager