23 points from Steve Gough's boot earned Fylde victory over a plucky Blaydon side by 28-22 in Round 2 of the RFU Cup in the North East. Gough kicked four penalties in the first half as well as the conversion of a try by Gareth Davies, his first for the club. Lawrence Condon made the initial break from his own half just before half-time. This was carried on by skipper Matt Filipo who sent Davies in under the posts. With Fylde's lead of 19-6 at the break, the match looked all over. However, Blaydon came storming back with two tries by fullback Gareth King to level it at 19-19. Fylde's nerve held and Gough kicked three more penalties to secure a merited win. In Round 3 on 13th October they visit London One side Norwich, who overcame Stroud by 21-16.
NCA officials have been angered by the new arrangements for the RFU Cup which now determine that the Premiership clubs don't enter the competition until the 6th Round. This means that by then only four non-Premiership clubs will be left in the competition at this stage. As the game becomes even more elite, its predictable though sad that clubs with long and illustrious histories such as Fylde, Bedford, Coventry and London Welsh are extremely unlikely to ever play competitive matches against the top twelve. Maybe, given the increasing 'competency gulf' between the Premiership and the rest, this is inevitable.
There were a few upsets for National Two sides at the hands of lower division aspirants last Saturday. [Virtually all of these were predicted on this site on Thursday! In fact, of the ten northern ties, we were right with nine results. Only Nuneaton's win at home to Wharfedale overturned our predictions].
The most notable wins saw New Brighton narrowly beat National Two high flyers Harrogate by 13-5, Dudley Kingswinford hammer struggling Nottingham by 36-3, Nuneaton edge out Wharfedale by 31-29, and Darlington MP triumph at Waterloo by 32-20. In the Southern section, the big upset was Rosslyn Park's victory over Plymouth Albion by 15-6.
The revised 3rd Round draw is as follows:
1 Newbury
v Barking
2
Bedford v Wakefield
3
Henley v Liverpool St. Helens
4
London Nigerians v London Welsh
5
Lydney v Worcester
6
Rosslyn Park v Orrell
7
Nuneaton v New Brighton
8
Kendal v Manchester
9
Moseley v North Walsham
10
Darlington M. Park v Dudley Kingswinford
11
Rotherham v Rugby Lions
12
Launceston v Exeter
13
Norwich v Fylde
14
Otley v Bracknell
15
Sedgley Park v Coventry
16
Preston Grasshoppers v Birmingham Solihull
Fylde's local rivals Orrell, visitors to the Woodlands on Saturday, slaughtered Third (North) newcomers, Scunthorpe by 83-8.
The full results were:
Barking v Old Colfeians 27-18
Bedford Athletic v Preston
Grasshoppers 16-44
Blackheath v Newbury 18-37
Blaydon v Fylde 22-28
Dudley Kingswinford v Nottingham
36-3
Kendal v Doncaster 30-17
Launceston v Esher 19-10
Liverpool St. Helens v Hull
Ionians 37-15
London Nigerians v Marlow
18-15
Lydney v Reading 21-10
New Brighton v Harrogate
13-5
North Walsham v Penzance
20-10
Norwich v Stroud 21-16
Nuneaton v Wharfedale 31-29
Orrell v Scunthorpe 83-8
Rosslyn Park v Plymouth
Albion 15-6
Sedgley Park v Stourbridge
33-13
Waterloo v Darlington M.
Park 20-32
If Fylde win at Norwich, they will be away once again on the 3rd November to the winners of the all National Two clash between Rosslyn Park and Orrell.
Lytham
carried on their improved form beating previously undefeated Eccles
by 37-21 at the Woodlands. There was an outstanding performance from Martin
Wallwork, playing at No 10, but good supporting work from the whole team.
Click here for a report on the match and
more wisdom from Allan Townsend!
(29/9/2001)
Player news
On the playing front, blind-side flanker Andy Atkinson has suffered knee damage in a training accident. The seriousness of the injury will become clearer this week, but he could be out of selection contention for several weeks, and will certainly miss the game against his old club Orrell on Saturday. Fellow back rower, Dylan O'Grady, is still a month or so away from a playing return following a summer operation on his shoulder. On the bright side, Brent Wilson played his first match of the season against Blaydon following knee surgery.
New
scrum-half recruit, Richard Dinsdale, is an ex-England schoolboy
international and most recently played for Stoke-on-Trent. The Club are
believed to be tracking a winger and a flanker as additions to the squad.
(28/9/2001)
Cup ripe for surprises
The 2nd Round of the RFU Senior Cup is to be played on Saturday. The Northern draw has thrown up a number of tricky games for senior clubs. Preston, Fylde, Nottingham, Harrogate and Wharfedale all travel to face National Three (North) sides. Nottingham's visit to midlands side Dudley Kingswinford and Harrogate's jaunt at New Brighton look particularly difficult ties. The only all Nat 2 game sees high flying Sedgley Park and Stourbridge clash in Manchester. Kendal and Waterloo, although at home, won't be expecting easy matches against National Three (North) table toppers Doncaster and Darlington MP.
Predicted winners are in italics:
Bedford Athletic
v Preston Grasshoppers
Blaydon
v Fylde
Dudley Kingswinford
v Nottingham
Kendal
v Doncaster
Liverpool-St Helens
v Hull Ionians
New Brighton
v Harrogate
Nuneaton
v Wharfedale
Orrell
v Scunthorpe
Sedgley Park
v Stourbridge
Waterloo
v Darlington Mowden Park
In the Southern section of the draw, the most interesting ties see Launceston at home to Esher and Plymouth Albion visiting Rosslyn Park. The inconsistent Park have been the closest so far to overcoming the record beating Albion when they went down 19-15 in Devon thanks to a last minute try by the home side.
Blaydon have had a
mixed start to their first season at National Three level. They lost their
opening match 23-24 at Morley, lost at home to a powerful and resurgent
Liverpool
St. Helens by 22-42, and achieved a good win at Bedford Athletic
by 30-19 last Saturday. In between, they won narrowly by 21-17 at Walsall
in the 1st Round of the RFU Cup. Blaydon will have former
England Schoolboy, Sale,
Bath, West Hartlepool, Worcester & Otley No. 10,
James Lofthouse in
their side. Lofthouse contributed 16 points on his debut in the Walsall
tie.
Blaydon will have a famous fan at the match tomorrow, former England international and Fylde lock Steve Bainbridge. He started his career at Blaydon and returned there to help with coaching after retiring from first class rugby.
Fylde's team selection has been influenced by injuries, availability and the need to rotate players to allow everyone to make a contribution. Compared with the side that was chosen (but didn't start the match for various reasons) against Esher, Ben Godfrey, Stuart Connell, Craig McIntyre, Jon Webster, Paddy O'Neill, Brent Wilson and Mike Bradwell replace Richard Kenyon (injured ankle), Greg Anderton, Martin Scott & Alan Yates (both on bench), Dave Baldwin (injured thumb), Andy Atkinson (injured) and Carl Lavin (unavailable). New Zealand flanker Wilson wil be making his first appearance of the season after a major knee operation in the summer.
Coach Dean Kenny laid it on the line to the club's backs before the match with Blaydon with the ultimatum: "Produce the goods or we will bring in players who will. [The backs non-scoring so far] is a worry and we are not going to put up with the kind of abysmal performance we produced against Esher. There is a danger that we will become a one-dimensional team, with only the forwards doing the job."
The team is (probable): Godfrey; Evans, Davies, Connell, Kerr; Gough, Condon; Filipo, McIntyre, Webster, O'Neill, Taylor, Bradwell, Wilson, Ferguson.
Replacements include Martin Scott, Alan Yates, Scott Buckley and Richard Dinsdale, a scrum-half signed this week from Stoke-on-Trent.
A number of late selection problems led to a weakened Fylde team facing high scoring Esher. Given this and Fylde's poor record in the South East, it was perhaps not too surprising that the home side triumphed by 26-3, despite the sides being level at 3-3 at half time. So the visitors lot their 100% record and slipped back to 6th in National League Two.
According to the Esher website, Fylde gave late call ups to Ben Trend, Ben Godfrey, Dave Wiseman and Paddy O'Neill for the injured or unavailable Richard Kenyon, Greg Anderton, Jon Taylor and Gareth Davies, who dropped down to the bench. An even first half was marked by a fairly fierce battle between the forwards. At one stage it became rather too fierce, with Andy Atkinson and opposing flanker Ciaran Bird being sinbinned. Penalties from John Gregory and Steve Gough were the only scores.
There was a crucial moment in the second half when Martin Scott was sinbinned and Esher scored their first try through No 10, Billy Stanley, converted by fullback Gregory. Scott returned but it was downhill all the way for the Lancastrians. Two more tries followed as the home side seemed fitter and stronger. Click here for an Esher account of the match, interestingly, the same version, more or less, which was replicated in tonight's Evening Gazette.
The sides were:
Esher: Gregory; Barnett, Wassell, Burns, Bromley; Stanley, Barr (Mulraine 78), Cormack, Hill (Bennett 78), Smith, Mole (Butterworth 60), Short, Owen, Bird, (Davison 78), Wilkins.
Fylde: Trend B;Godfrey, Evans, Wiseman, Kerr; Gough, Condon; Filipo, Scott, (McIntyre 70), Yates (Webster 59), O’Neil (Bradwell 59), Baldwin, Atkinson, Lavin, Ferguson. Replacement not used: Davies
Elsewhere in National Two ...
National Two is starting to shake down. Plymouth made it 34 straight league wins in sequence by overcoming 'Hoppers at Lightfoot Green by 36-22 to take a clear lead at the top of the table. Fellow promoted clubs, Sedgley Park & Stourbridge, continue their excellent start to their seasons, Park with an outstanding 48-8 win at Nottingham. This score, in the context of Fylde's narrow 18-16 win at Beeston three weeks ago, puts the relative strength of Park and the Woodlands club in interesting perspective. Smart money is on Park, with a very strong squad and seemingly plenty of money to support this playing infrastructure, to be challenging hard for promotion in April.
Harrogate bounced back after their defeat by Fylde by outscoring Wharfedale by seven tries to six in an amazing 51-36 match at Claro Road. An interesting fact from this match was the achievement of 'Dale's young winger Carl Burnett. He scored a hat-trick of tries for the sescond successive week. (Fylde's wingers hardly get three passes in a match, let alone the chance to score tries in this fashion!). Kendal had a handsome win by 39-9 at home to this season's underachievers, Rosslyn Park, with their No 10, Mike Scott contributing 24 points. Orrell easily outscored neighbours Waterloo by 51-18 at Edge Hall Road.
Rather like Fylde following their relegation from National One in 1998 (or Allied Dunbar Two, as it was called then), the Blundelsands club is struggling to adjust to the rigours of the division and to cope with a diminished playing squad. Orrell continue to strengthen their team with the newly arrived Australian centre Wade Kelly making an excellent debut and South African flanker Jamie Carroll to join them this week. Ex-Wigan RL player Phil Jones continues to harvest points - 26 this week, with two tries, five conversions and two penalties. 'Uncle Dave' Whelan's money is starting to have the desired effect.
Click here for Stephen McCormack's Week 4 summary of the stats for National League Two (Word document, 128k).
Background information on all clubs is on our continually updated National League Two page.
Despite Fylde's promising start to the season, coach Dean Kenny must have some concerns about the continuing lack of points from the three quarters. Whilst the Lancastrians' ultra strong pack is to be praised, there needs to be more than a 10-man game plan. When they do come up against a similarly big and effective forward unit like Esher, they need to be able to release the backs in a creative way.
Admittedly, the three quarter line is much less experienced than the pack, or most of their equivalents in opposing teams, come to that. It is to be hoped that disrupted selection plans (such as on Saturday) can be put behind them. The side needs a fit Richard Kenyon (due to injury, he's only played two halves this season so far), Greg Anderton firing on all cylinders and a settled back three, at fullback and on the wings.
Its also interesting to note that whilst Fylde's forwards have scored all of the four tries to date, the five tries conceded have all been by opposing backs.
There is a possibility of the excellent South African Morne Loxton returning to the Club. Loxton had a successful few months at the Woodlands in the National One season of 1998/9. A versatile back (he can play at fullback, wing or at No. 10), his natural flair, pace and daring would strengthen playing resources considerably. No supporter who witnessed his brilliant display in the heroic 39-43 defeat by National One table toppers Bristol in April 1998 could forget his contribution. He scored 19 points in the game, including an audacious 80 metre interception try which gave bottom of the league Fylde a 39-23 lead against a side made up of expensive international imports. They couldn't hold on, but it was a wonderful match which lives on in the memory. It is to be hoped that Club officials can find a way of securing his services this season.
Its
quite interesting to see what effect the 'bonus' scoring system
used in the Zurich Premiership and National League One would have if adopted
in National Two. The scheme rewards sides scoring four tries or losing
by 3 points or less with one point, additional to four for a win. In many
ways, this seems a desirable way of encouraging sides to play open and
competitive rugby. Even at this early stage of the season, it is possible
to see how such a scheme would change the fortunes of clubs:
Bonus pts Total pts
Plymouth
3
19
Esher
3
15
Harrogate
3
15
Sedgley Park
3
15
Stourbridge
1
13
Fylde
-
12
Orrell
3
11
Kendal
1
9
Wharfedale
4
8
Newbury
1
5
Preston
1
5
Rosslyn P.
-
4
Waterloo
-
4
Nottingham
1
1
Fylde, due to their low try scoring to date, would start to lose position quickly against the high scoring sides above them. Last season would have seen us similarly suffer.
A view that bonus points are at best irrelevent and at worst have a negative effect on good, open play is written up very well (starting on page 14) by Sedgley Park's Simon Tushingham. His arguments are pretty conclusive.
(24/9/2001)
Lytham won their first North Lancashire One game of the season at Bolton by 22-13 on Saturday. Click here for an account of the game. Lytham's squad has been significantly strengthened by the recruitment of three new players, two of whom were in National League One squads last year! Returning heroes, Martin Wallwork and Graeme Tasker, were playing respectively for Bedford and Otley last season. Fellow newcomer, half-back Tristan Thompson, also made a major contribution to the win at Bolton.
'Wally' left Fylde at the same time as Steve Gough, to join Coventry at the beginning of the 1998/9 season. He played intermittently for the Midlanders' 1st team and then moved on to Bedford. He was a regular in the Bedford team last season, either in his traditional scrum-half role or at No 10, and helped them avoid relegation to National Two in the last match of the season. Flanker Tasker left Fylde at the end of the 1999/2000 season when he joined a veterinary practice in Yorkshire.
Local rivals in the same league, Fleetwood and Thornton Cleveleys, also won at home against Bury (29-5) and Old Bedlians (11-10) respectively.
Fylde Wanderers, having lost a number of players through 1st team calls, injuries and unavailabilities, went down heavily at home to a much stronger and talented New Brighton side. Skipper Stuart Connell led by example but the Fylde youngsters in the pack were outgunned by their opponents.
Joint league leaders Fylde visit Esher on Saturday in what is sure to be another very tough match. Esher are in third place in National Two, leading a pack of clubs with four points out of six, on points difference. This was helped considerably by their thumping win by 50-15 at Waterloo on Saturday.
There are some changes in the Fylde back line from last Saturday's victory over Harrogate. Tom Kerr, who made his debut on the left wing, moves to fullback; Greg Anderton returns to fill the wing berth; Richard Kenyon takes over at centre following injury; Mark Evans reverts to the right wing, whilst Ben Trend drops down to the bench and Ben Godfrey plays for the Wanderers at the Woodlands.
Coach Dean Kenny is challenging Anderton to reveal the true form that every long standing follower of the Club knows he has in abundance. "Everyone keeps telling me that he's a big threat but so far I have not seen it. I don't know whether he is struggling for fitness, but it is now up to him to prove himself." The full side is:
Kerr; Evans, Davies, Kenyon,
Anderton; Gough, Condon; Filipo, Scott, Yates, Taylor, Baldwin, Atkinson,
Lavin, Ferguson.
Replacements: O'Neill, Webster,
McIntyre, Trend.
Kenny, whilst praising the effort and defensive performance of the side so far, still believes that they are only playing at 50% of their ability level. Fylde's aim is to maintain their unbeaten record. He said: "We are looking to peak in November or December and stay unbeaten for as long as we can." Inspiring newcomer Dave Baldwin has made a big impression since he arrived at the Club in a player-coach role. Read the Evening Gazette's interview with him.
Fylde still have a lengthy
wait before back row forward Dylan O'Grady returns after a shoulder
injury. "It will be another month at least," says Kenny. Another back row
player, Brent Wilson, makes his comeback to the Wanderers for the
match with New Brighton (ko 15.00) after a knee injury.
Esher
RFC is based deep in the Surrey heartlands. The Club has been established
for over 77 years and it has seen a rise in fortunes since those early
days. National Two status is the highest league position the club has so
far attained having won promotion two seasons ago from the now named National
Division Three South. Their first season (2000/1) in National Two was satisfactory,
finishing in mid-table (just above Fylde) but they are now pushing for
further honours. The club is ambitious and, with the coaching and back
up staff, they mean business. It is their intention to be mounting a challenge
for promotion come the end of February 2002.
Last season Esher had severe problems with flooding at their ground. They had to play a number of their home matches, including against Fylde in January, at other clubs. The beginning of this season should have seen the opening of their extensive new clubhouse but the building work has been delayed. The most recent plan was for the Fylde match on Saturday to be the official opening but this has been postponed once more. However, the match will be held on their Molesey Road ground.
Esher have an impressive
coaching system, led by Hugh McHardy (Director of
Rugby, and a former Scotland
B International) and including Peter Winterbottom (ex Harlequins, England
and British Lions flanker) and Jim Staples (ex Harlequins, London Irish
and former captain of Ireland).
For background on the Esher club, click on their excellent web site. Compared with Fylde at the moment, they have more players and teams, and probably greater strength in depth. For instance, their 2nd team plays in the National Leagues 2nd XV Leagues, made up of the 2nd teams of National One and Two clubs. Fylde have struggled to field a regular and competitive Wanderers side in the past few years although recent performances have been much improved.
Fullback John Gregory kicked 20 points to put him 2nd top scorer to date in the Division with 44 points. Their new signings include Harvey Thorneycroft from Northampton and Spencer Bromley from Worcester (both have already made an impact in the back division) and flanker Gareth Allison.
Established players include skipper and utility back Jan Bonney, Caleb Kronfeld, Kiwi brother of legendary All Black & Leicester's Josh, and highly experienced No 8 Chris Wilkins . According to reports on their matches this season, its their pack which have dominated opponents. So with Fylde's clear strength up front also, it is likely to be an allmighty confrontation.
The Esher side selected for the match is:
Gregory; Barnett, Wassell,
Burns, Bromley; Stanley, Barr; Cormack, Hill, Smith, Mole, Short, Owen(S),
Bird(C), Wilkins.
Replacements: Butterworth,
Davison, Mulraine, Bennett.
There are debuts in the three quarters for new signings Dan Wassell from New Zealand and Sam Barnett who rejoins the club having been at University. Some of the try scorers against Waterloo are either missing (Thorneycroft & Dixon) or on the bench (Mulraine & Butterworth). Kronfeld & Allison were injured a couple of weeks ago and skipper Jan Bonney is also absent.
Interestingly, Fylde are the only team in National Two who haven't scored any tries through their backs so far this season.
Other National Two fixtures on Saturday are:
Harrogate
v Wharfedale
Kendal
v Rosslyn
Park
Nottingham
v Sedgley
Park
Orrell
v Waterloo
Preston
v Plymouth
Stourbridge
v Newbury
(18/9/2001)
International representative opportunities for non-Premiership players
The RFU has announced that a new national representative side will be launched by the end of the current season. The England Counties XV was formally approved today at the RFU Management Board meeting. The squad will be made up of players from outside the Premiership who have played or are eligible to play in the Tetley's County Championship.
Francis Baron the RFU Chief Executive said today, “The England Counties XV will provide amateur and semi-professional players from level 2 and below with the opportunity of playing international rugby. The initiative will help raise the profile of the County Championship and provide the players who take part in it with a further incentive to develop their County careers. A ‘brand’ name will be given to the team before it plays its first fixtures at the end of this season, with a more intensive programme being discussed for 2002/03.
“A management team comprising of a Manager, Assistant Manager, Coach, Assistant Coach, Doctor and Physio will be appointed at the earliest opportunity. The team will be selected following consultation with the Head of Coach Development.”
Terry Burwell the RFU’s Community
and Operations Director said, “Once the management team is in place it
will appoint a Selection Committee with one representative from each region
to assist in the selection process. The team will provide a higher profile
for the County and Community game and the players taking part will benefit
from playing against international opposition. Potential
opponents are being discussed
and we aim to make further announcements relating to fixtures and management
appointments in the near future.”
(20/9/2001)
Mothguards at the ready!
The RFU Referees webpage today says that in matches under ESRFU control referees must insist on all players wearing 'mothguards'. The message goes on to say that responsibility for ensuring this must rest with the team coach. So, Deano, get the mothguards dusted off! Scotty's wallet is the first priority.
More away ties if Fylde beat Blaydon
The winners of the Blaydon v Fylde tie on September 29th have been drawn away at either Norwich or Stroud in the 3rd round of the RFU Senior Cup on 13th October. Not exactly what the doctor ordered. Norwich (250 miles) is at least a five hour journey and Stroud (180 miles) is not much closer. Norwich play in London Division One and Stroud in South West One, both leagues immediately under National League Three (South). And these teams will be no walkover either. Both are legitimate aspirants to National League status.
In ealier rounds of the Cup, Norwich have beaten Cheshunt 40-15 (a), Thurrock 65-10 (h), and Redruth 22-13 (h). Stroud have overcome Dorchester 39-8 (h), Truro 39-15 (h) and Camberley 32-12 (h). Both Camberley and Redruth have recently been in National Two. But looked at another way, Fylde should be expected to progress to the 4th Round on November 3rd, if they get past Blaydon.
If we are successful, do
we finally get a home tie? Well, no, actually. We will be away to ... wait
for it ... the winners of (Rosslyn Pk or Plymouth Alb)
and (Orrell or Scunthorpe). Let's hope that Orrell improves
their current form and wins through. Interestingly enough, which ever club
comes through this tortuous route, they will be through to Round 5, when
the big boys from the Premiership enter the draw, without playing a team
from National One. But Twickenham still seems a long way off!
(18/9/2001)
Fylde pack power to another win
An immense display from the whole Fylde pack, and good defence from the backs, earned a narrow 13-9 vicory against a talented and previously unbeaten Harrogate side at the Woodlands on Saturday. This was the side's third tight win in a row and their best display of the season, albeit in dreadfully wet and windy conditions. The minute's silence in honour of the dead and injured from the terrorist attack in the USA was marked by a hundred or so players from the three matches being held at the ground that afternoon, as well as by the huddled crowd. As the driving rain beat in from the north, the players stood in a single line running most of the length of the 1st team pitch.
The first half saw Harrogate playing with the wind and rain at their backs. Due to fiercely determined defence from the home side, they failed to take advantage of the conditions. A successfully kicked penalty from Harrogate's No.10, Lee Cholewa, opened the score. He was to add two more penalties later in the half as the Fylde forwards were punished by the referee.
The outstanding moment of the half, however, led to the only try of the game. The Fylde forwards set off on one of their trademark rolling mauls at least 30 metres out. On and on the maul went as Harrogate's players desperately tried to halt it and it was a testimony to the technique of the home pack that it didn't collapse. As the crowd cheered them on, they reached the line and skipper Matt Filipo was the last man up. Steve Gough, who had missed a couple of penalties into the driving rain, kicked a beautiful and most unlikely conversion. The half ended with the visitors holding an unconvincing 9-7 lead.
The second half saw Fylde in clear assendancy. Although some of the field kicking was somewhat misplaced (about six deep kicks ended up in the lap of the excellent Harrogate fullback, Ed Smithies), the Fylde pack contained the lively Yorkshire eight with resolute tackling and possession work. For Harrogate, the evergreen John Dudley (a lock forward in most of his long Rotherham career), playing at blindside flanker, had a powerful game.
As Fylde exerted more and more pressure, Harrogate were forced into errors and offences. Gough excellently kicked another penalty to give the home side the lead and an easier one to take them four points clear. However, Harrogate were always dangerous but, try as they might, they couldn't break down the stalwart Fylde defence. According to The Daily Telegraph's Tony Simpson, in the very wet conditions, "the harder he tried to engineer an opening for his middle backs, the more fly-half Lee Cholewa looked like a drowning man".
The Fylde backs worked hard and effectively in defence and occasionally attacked dangerously. Mark Evans, the home side's most penetrative three quarter, was stopped near the Harrogate line. Then, Gough rolled back the years with a typically audacious interception. He sprinted 40 metres but couldn't find the only supporting Fylde player as the visitor's defence closed him down.
The Fylde front five have already earned plaudits from their performance in the first two matches, and once again they were very strong and powerful in the tight and the loose. But on Saturday the backrow was also immense. Andy Atkinson had a tremendous game, and he was supported superbly by Carl Lavin and Grant Ferguson, before the latter was replaced by substitute Scott Buckley.
Ex-Sheffield University utility back, Tom Kerr, made his debut on the wing for Fylde in place of Greg Anderton. He has started work as a dentist in the local area.
Click here for a full report by Steve Simpson of the Evening Gazette and here for a Harrogate view.
The full line-ups were:
Fylde: Trend (Kenyon 45); Godfrey, Evans, Davies, Kerr; Gough, Condon; Filipo (capt.), Scott (McIntyre 54), Yates (Webster 67), Baldwin, Taylor, Atkinson, Lavin, Ferguson (Buckley 64)
Harrogate: Smithies; Farrar, Duncombe, Sargeant (Clayton 60), Marr; Cholewa, Morgan (capt.); Melton, Salkeld (Erven 73), Wilson (Jones 54), Taylor, Clarke (Fforde 67), Dudley, Worden, Wade.
So Fylde maintained their 100% record and sit with Plymouth two points clear at the top of the table. Fylde would have been on their own at the top other than for an injury time try from star flanker, Dan Ward-Smith which gave the Devonians a narrow win over Rosslyn Park.
Next week's game for Fylde at Esher will provide no respite for the Woodlands' side. The Surrey club is in third place and gave Waterloo an extraordinary drubbing by 50-15 at Blundelsands. The Fylde match will also see the opening of Esher's new clubhouse. They will be looking to celebrate by sending the Lancastrians home empty handed. London and the Home Counties haven't been very productive for Fylde in recent years, so this match really will be a test of the boys' mettle.
The scores in National League Two are below. An interesting characteristic of Saturday was that both sides relegated from League One last season, Orrell and Waterloo, lost whilst all three promoted clubs (Plymouth, Sedgley Park and Stourbridge) won.
Newbury
26 - 24 Orrell
Plymouth
A 19 - 15 Rosslyn Park
Preston
G 13 - 16 Stourbridge
Sedgley
P 31 - 12 Kendal
Waterloo
15 - 50 Esher
Wharfedale
46 - 13 Nottingham
More
details of these matches, plus a detailed statistical breakdown of National
Two to date, is available in the NCA Week 3 summary
(210k Word document).
(16/9/2001)
Wanderers go down at Harrogate
The Wanderers have had a 'mixed' start to the season. A narrow 5-11 loss at Kendal was followed by a 24-24 draw at home to Doncaster. However, Harrogate proved far too strong on Saturday and won 67-17. We shouldn't be too dispirited. They visited Waterloo the previous week and won 94-0!
The Wanderers are at home to New Brighton on Saturday, 22nd September. Click here for their full fixture list and here for the uptodate Northern Merit Table comprising 2nd teams of all prominent clubs. The Club has rightly committed itself to strengthening the role of the Wanderers in providing a highly competitive arena for preparing players for the step up to National League rugby. Come along and support the lads on Saturday - members and others should do their bit towards the Club's goal!
Lytham lose in RFU Junior Cup
Lytham lost to Windermere by 9-20 at the Woodlands on Saturday in the 1st Round of the RFU Junior Cup. Local rivals Thornton Cleveleys also lost, at home 13-16 to Ruskin Park.
Fylde will travel to Blaydon
in the 2nd Round of the RFU Cup on 29th September after the North
East side won their tie 21-17 at Walsall on Saturday. They snatched
the match with a late try by debutant and former England Schoolboy, Sale,
Bath, West Hartlepool, Worcester & Otley No. 10, James Lofthouse.
Lofthouse contributed 16 points in all.
(16/9/2001)