Fylde Win Close Lancashire Encounter

Sedgley Tigers pushed National one side Fylde all the way in a fiercely competitive contest; resembling more of a league game with either side’s effort and physicality.

On a pleasant day on the Fylde coast, the visitors looked out of place as they ran on to the superbly appointed ground in a disappointing change kit.

After a minute’s silence, the game got underway, with the first 20 minutes showcasing a series of big men running at other big men. Sedgley's Hymes and Emerson showed great aggression around the park and it did seem to unsettle the home team.

The new scrum laws were being well officiated by the referee, with either side, when putting in, managing to get clean and quick ball for their back lines or no.8 to operate with. Sedgley had four attacking line outs; however, as a result of poor lifting by both props and wayward throws, the Tigers’ set-piece was not performing.

At the quarter mark, Fylde displayed some crisp back play to release Olly Viney, scoring the game’s first try. Viney was to continue to demonstrate his outstanding football skills for the rest of the half.

It became increasingly more noticeable that he Fylde backs had greater speed and precision with the ball than Sedgley. With fifteen minutes remaining of the first half, Fylde started to dominate the game with a cross-field kick opportunity gone begging, that should have been put away by Rath. A second cross kick by Chris Johnson saw the immaculate Viney go over for a second try; making the score 12 -0 at half time.

There was a feeling around the spectators that the running rugby of Fylde would prevail in the second half.

Both teams had made a number of changes at half time. As he had done in the first twenty minutes Juan Crous made some powerful runs for Sedgley but second and third phase possession was being lost; with Viney and Rath having good chances early in the second half for Fylde. Rath who had made local rugby news when playing for Rotherham Titans two weeks earlier seemed to find this game difficult.

After fifteen minutes of the second half, with Fylde camped deep within the Sedgley 22 metre line, Coach Dave Wilkes set about changing his side's make up. Off came some of the heavyweights and on came quicker and more mobile backs and forwards.

It instantly paid dividends with replacement prop, Ashcroft tackling strongly and turning the ball over. This changed the momentum of the half as Sedgley began to move up a gear. The ball was moving across the back line with speed and precision; the set-piece started to function effectively.

A strong line out and driving maul allowed Sedgley to go over for a try through replacement Matt Lamprey. With the conversion the score moved to 12-7 to Fylde.

Fylde had made their own changes and knew they had to strike back immediately; good interchanges between backs and forwards created a huge opening in midfield and a try looked a certainty before the referee blew for a forward pass. The resulting scrum went against the head as Fylde new boy Lewis playing at loosehead caused problems for an inexperienced Sedgley tight head. On hand to capitalise was Stephen Briers who crashed over for a try.

Sedgley were continuing to play a technically superior and quicker game than we had seen in the first half and good skills quickly gained Sedgley ground. The set piece was providing cleaner and quicker ball. Fylde's back row was forced into desperate defensive work; their tackle count the whole game was exemplary.

Another scrum ten metres from the Fylde line provided opportunity for Sedgley to attack. Thwarted from first phase, the second phase saw hooker Jonny Matthews dive over and Steve Collins convert. With four minutes remaining on the clock it was 17-14 and that was how it would stay.

Both teams approached this game with total commitment, Fylde showing how to play attacking rugby from all parts of the ground. The Fylde backs will be a handful for all National One opponents this season; Viney and Johnson were excellent. Coach, Mark Nelson will have been pleased with his second rows but will need to get the balance of the back row fine-tuned. The Fylde front row looked uncomfortable at scrum time and will need to embrace rugby's new scrum laws if they are not to be Fylde's Achilles heel.

Turning to Sedgley, we witnessed two very different styles, big men being confrontational in the first twenty minutes and very skilled and mobile footballers in the final quarter – which is best suited to National Two?