Fylde welcomed Southport to the Woodlands for this round 4 game in the Blacksticks Blue Challenge 2009/10.

Southport like Fylde have been suffering lack of numbers and only had 14 players available.

Fylde kicked off to start the match on the main pitch which was in excellent condition despite all the recent rain.

The first period of the game was a surprisingly even contest despite Fylde’s numerical advantage. Both sides had chances but neither could turn possession into points with loose final passes and knock-on’s being the order of the day.

Eventually Fylde were awarded a penalty just inside Southport’s 22m line which was quickly taken by scrum half Matthew Todd. The ball passed through several hands until Oliver Trippier finally powered over for a welcome score. Harry Duff converted from wide out to give his side a 7-0 lead.

Southport re-started and almost immediately Fylde infringed and a penalty was awarded against them which was quickly taken by flanker Jordan Caldwell who eluded several tackles to nip in under the post for a try which was simply converted by Jacob McMillen. 7-7.

Fylde now started to build some impetus and the forwards began to dominate in the line out with several good steals by Will Stones and Tom Benstead. Fylde also began to dominate in the loose winning quite a bit of turnover ball.

Following some excellent foraging Oliver Trippier broke out from within his own half and was finally brought down after a fine run just short of the Southport try line. From this strong position and resultant scrum  a good series of passes by the forwards and backs saw powerful prop James Everett cross the line wide out for another score. Again an excellent conversion was taken by Harry Duff to help re-establish a 7 point lead for the home side at 14-7.

More Fylde domination again saw a Fylde penalty being taken quickly on the Southport 5m line and Everett was again soon diving over the line to mark his second try to leave Fylde ahead 19-7 at the break.

After the re-start Southport started strongly and were soon attacking in the Fylde half. From one such attack Oliver Trippier stole the ball making some good ground before feeding to Alex Roper then to flanker Stephan Kuhn who used considerable pace to outpace several defenders on the left touchline to get into the opposition 22 where he off loaded to supporting James Everett who capped an excellent all round performance by crossing for his hat trick try. 24-7

Despite this core Southport continued to put some periods of play together and again were deep in the Fylde half when they lost the ball to Harry Duff who cleverly put in a high kick into the opposition half. Wing Alex Roper chasing the kick won the ball then fed debutant full back Alex Kiziltas who went over for his first try wide out. 29-7

Fylde continued to pressure the valiant Southport defence and there were several probing runs made by Sam Smith and David Rothwell but the defence held out and there was no further scoring for either side.

Final Score: Fylde 29 (19) Southport 7 (7)

Fylde scorers:

 Try: Everett (3) Trippier Kiziltas

Con: Duff (2)

Southport scorers:

Try: Caldwell

Fylde Squad: Kiziltas,Roper,Dalgleish,Rothwell,Smith,Duff,Todd,Everett,Nye,Trippier,Cookson,Lund (Anthony),Kuhn,Stones,Benstead,Goodlad,Lund(Andrew),Forster,Ramm,Gardner,Clough

Under 15s in italics

Referee: Andy Eastick

John Roper

U16s Manager