Fylde Struggle Against the Meanest Defence in N1

When the 2nd top try scoring team in National One travelled to meet the meanest defence it was the latter which came out on top. Rosslyn Park maintained their chase of leaders Doncaster Knights with a deserved 16-7 victory over Fylde.

 Indeed, as Park were leading at Roehampton it seemed as though Tynedale has beaten the Knights and the race for promotion looked like it would get much tighter. A Doncaster try late in injury time saved the leaders embarrassment.

Rosslyn Park v Fylde was a hard, relentless struggle which had few moments of inspiration but a very professional display by the hosts ensured a deserved win. Fylde had their fair share of possession and territory but couldn't find a way through Park's tremendous defence. Fylde have been able to score freely in virtually all their games this season, including in a comprehensive bonus point 26-10 win over Park at the Woodlands in November. But there was to be no repeat of this as Alex Codling's squad denied the visitors space or width. He said to The Rugby Paper: “Defence wins you games and today's was exceptional.”

Despite playing into a strong wind, a 10th minute penalty by fly-half Scott Seddon gave Park a 3-0 lead. This endured no more than a couple of minutes. From Chris Johnson's restart kick, the Park defenders simply watched the ball bounce. Fylde fullback Warren Spragg followed the ball at pace, picked it up and scored near the posts. It was a fluke try but Spragg's opportunism was impressive. Chris Johnson added the extras for a 7-3 advantage. For a while it seemed as if Fylde's luck away from the Woodlands might be in.

But in the 19th minute Rosslyn Park hit back and in the 19th minute took a lead they were never to relinquish. They attacked and Fylde's defence was askew as Scott Seddon tipped through for a good try. He added the conversion for a 10-7 lead.

Fylde had the advantage of the wind at their backs but struggled to break down the Park defence despite having opportunities to do so. A couple of chances were spurned through bad handling and the Park defence snapped shut once again. Although Fylde don't play any differently against the wind than with it, there was no doubt that a 10-7 lead at half-time was a pleasing position for Park.

Park controlled the third quarter after the break with close driving play. The Fylde defence held out well but the pressure they were under led to conceding penalties in the 54th & 58th minutes, both well converted with the advantage of the wind by Seddon for a 16-7 lead.

Fylde had 2nd half chances but, as in the 1st half, could make nothing of them against the rock of the Park defence. With Paul Arnold, Gareth Gore and Steve McGinnis replaced by Jonny Wild, Tom Burtonwood & Joe Robinson for the last 15 minutes, the Fylde pack worked hard but never dominated. When Park offended in injury time, Chris Johnson had a very difficult kick into the wind to rescue a losing & consolation bonus point but it drifted wide.

Fylde Coach Mark Nelson said: “Rosslyn Park are a very professional outfit and defended with the organisation & edge of a Premiership side. It's not an accident that they have conceded far fewer points than any other team in the division. It wasn't a great spectacle – one for the rugby purist really. It was a very physical contest and the guys will be nursing their bruises this morning. There was no lack of ambition or commitment by the Fylde players, just issues of execution. Against such a quality defence you have to exploit every chance you create and we didn't. We gave it our best shot but they were deserved winners on the day. Park clearly have the potential to beat Doncaster and achieve promotion.

“Despite the disappointment of losing, we're very pleased that the game went ahead on what was good surface given all the rain that's been falling on the South. The players need a break after a sequence of very tough games against the top teams in National One. The spare weekend is very welcome before we welcome Coventry to the Woodlands on March 1st.”