Wharfedale get a reality check at Fylde
On a day when the elements were kind for rugby, Wharfedale travelled to Fylde to face the league leaders.
Early warning signs were there when only a last ditch tackle by Josh Prell saved a break away try.
After sustained pressure, Fylde were awarded a penalty in the 10th minute which Gregory Smith converted to open the scoring.
Wharfedale were struggling to gain possession and after multiple phases, slick ball handling, Tristan Lynch scored under the posts, Gregory Smith adding the extras.
In a passage of play that Wharfedale did exert pressure and ball retention they were awarded a penalty that Tom Mann converted to make the score 10-3.
Fylde were really dominating possession and from a 5m lineout Scott Rawlings rumbled over for a try in the corner which Gregory Smith converted making the half time score 17-3
The second half was dominated by Fylde who ran in tries by Jordan Dorrington, Oliver Parkinson, Benjamin Turner and Adam Lanigan, three of which were converted by Gregory Smith making the final score 43-3.
The large crowd were entertained by a Fylde side full of running rugby at speed, fine ball control and passing but above all a high level of fitness.
Wharfedale can hold there heads up high as although out played for large periods of the game never gave up and tackled their hearts out. The Wharfedale travelling supporters appreciated the effort the whole squad made but there was notable contributions from Matthew Beesley, George Hedley, Ryan Carlson (20 minute cameo from Rob Baldwin) and Oliver Cicognini.
After the match, Coach Simon Verbickas commented
“Fair play to Fylde today they deserved the win and are definitely the best team we have played so far this season. They played the sort of rugby that I would like us to be able to produce and that we are capable of but just not today. Even though we didn’t win we will have learnt from today’s game and will get back to training and continue to work on those. Proud of the lads for never giving up and playing to the final whistle. Thanks also to the travelling supporters for making the effort to come over to support the team”
More fabulous photos from Ro and John Burridge of the 1st XV #Nat2N Match against @FyldeRugby are available to view and download at https://www.flickr.com/photos/128183691@N04/albums/72177720303110627
Lower quality images can be found at https://www.facebook.com/media/set?set=oa.445503794390715
Starting XV
Matthew Beesley, Ben Wright, Joe Altham, Simon Borrill, George Hedgley, Ryan Carlson, Joe Fawcett, Josh Burridge, Tom Darwin, Tom Mann, Josh Prell, Oli Cicognini, Ben Blackwell, Ryan Hodgson, Harry Bullough.
Bench
Matt Speres, Sam Dickinson, Rob Baldwin, Omari Kaup-Samuels, Max Bell, TR. Ben Leacock.