Fylde won this war of the Roses battle and deserved to take 5 points back across the Pennines becoming only the 3rd team to do the double over Dale. Wharfedale started strongly after the Fylde kick-off drifted straight into touch. The scrum was won and the ball moved from touch-line to touch- line. A drive down the middle by Elliot Stockton was finished off by Omari Kaup-Samuels, who added the conversion.
Fylde countered when David Fairbrother burst into Dale’s 22 and gave the scoring pass to Cory Bowker for an unconverted try. Fylde gained the lead with a try from Sam Stott, converted by Alex Clayton. Kaup-Samuels notched up a penalty kick and then Fylde ran in another try after Dale penalties had given them good field position. Toby Harrison scored with Clayton missing the conversion.
Dale then mounted a concerted effort in Fylde territory. One difference between the two sides was offloading. Fylde created good moves by offloading out of the tackle where Dale frequently had to settle for a ruck or maul thus slowing any attack. Penalties were given away by Fylde and a second warning issued by the referee. Then a moment of madness by Fylde prop, Chris Rudkin, led to a red card. The home side squandered good chances to score before Fylde grabbed their bonus point try before halftime to make the score Dale 10 Fylde 24 at halftime. Stott crossed for a second time but no conversion.
Dale opened the second half with a well organised catch and drive. Burridge touched down for an unconverted try.
Good movement by the Fylde backs ended with another unconverted try by Adam Lanigan. A break from deep led to Fylde’s last try which took the game beyond Wharfedale, Freddie Reader scored with Clayton successful from the tee.
The Yorkshire men did manage one more score with Zeb Heys crashing over and Jimmy Howarth adding the extras.
There were some good moments in Wharfedale’s play but linking phases together seemed to be a problem. This comes through a side consistently playing together and this, because of a long run of injuries, has not happened. The Fylde squad worked together more and were always in support. Another difference was in kicking out of hand with Fylde always seeming to send the ball further downfield than Dale. Dale’s indiscipline led to two yellow cards and the loss of a fair amount of territory and possession.
The last fixture is in a fortnight, away, against Sheffield Tigers. Dale are currently in 6th position in the league and a good victory in South Yorkshire could see them overtake Tynedale, to finish 5th, who finish their season with a home tie against League Champions Leeds.
Wharfedale: – Bullough, Bullock, Prell, Blackwell, Viner, Kaup-Samuels (Howarth 58), Riddiough, Dickinson, Collinson (Wills 51), Armstrong (Beecroft 75), Heys, Stockton, Hedgley (c), Weston (Burridge33, Collinson 60, Meehan 65), Baldwin.
The match photographs are available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/128183691@N04/albums/72177720325047620