SHEFFIELD TIGERS 30 FYLDE 33: Fylde overcame a difficult start to outscore a robust and physical Sheffield Tigers team and gain another fine away win. The entertainment and commitment levels were as high as the altitude on the chilly and exposed surroundings at Dore Moor as Fylde outscored the hosts by 5 tries to 3. Tom Grimes notched a hat-trick to add to scores by Connor Wilkinson and Dave Fairbrother. This was no mean feat given they lost their stand-out skipper Ben Gregory to injury and conceded a pushover try in the first minute. The bonus point win keeps the title race alive, although champions elect Sedgley Park’s bonus point win just down the road at the other Sheffield means they now just need one win from their last two games to secure the title, even if Fylde secure maximum points from their remaining three games. top by Matt Garrod was moved down the back line before play was switched back to the blind side putting Grimes clear. This time Grimes turned provider as he drew the last man and put Connor Wilkinson in under the posts, Smith’s conversion making it 19-10. This could and perhaps should have been the platform for Fylde to push on and keep The Tigers pinned deep, making them earn the hard yards uphill. However, Fylde were not able to find their ruthless streak and the hosts used the
The Tigers kicked off down the slope with the wind at their back and regained the ball immediately, launching a wave of strong carries by their hefty pack. An early heavy collision left Ben Gregory unable to continue and Sam Parker was straight off the bench and into the fray. The very next play saw the heavier Tigers pack shove Fylde over their line, number eight Tom Calladine dotted down, the metronomic boot of Mark Ireland, often a scourge of Fylde in the past, slotted the conversion and Fylde were 7-0 down, down a skipper and the vociferous Tigers crowd sensed blood. Fylde gathered their collective breath and forced their way up the slope and into the game. To say Dave Fairbrother relishes a physical challenge is an understatement of the highest order, and the now promoted vice-captain set out to lead his troops with an inspirational all-action display that motivated them all to follow suit. On 20 minutes it looked for all money as if Fairbrother had the ball grounded on the line in a mass of players only for it to be deemed just short. It mattered not as the ball was recycled to Tom Grimes who chipped through, re-gathered and touched down to start his excellent day off. Greg Smith missed his only kick at goal of the day, but Fylde were back in at 7-5 down. Fylde were now playing sensible, accurate uphill rugby to control possession and force penalties. On 28 minutes Fairbrother was not to be denied a second time as he rampaged through three tacklers to force his way over wide out, Smith’s excellent conversion giving Fylde the lead at 12-7. The next 10 minutes saw both teams gain penalties and territory without being to convert pressure into points, until Ireland knocked over a penalty right on the hooter to make it 12-10 to Fylde at the break. The second stanza started perfectly for Fylde as they increased their lead on 41 minutes. A line out take off the
ball they got well. Fylde’s tackle defence in the face of the muscular running was good but they were giving too many penalties away for offside or breakdown offences. Ireland’s line kicking is as good as his goal kicking and with Sheffield’s scrum and line out working well any set-piece ball they had in Fylde’s 22 was a real danger. The pressure of having to defend too often too deep started to tell on Fylde and Ireland chipped away at the lead with penalties on 45 and 51 minutes bringing the score back to 19-16. Fylde missed a good chance to score when another break by Grimes broke down due to a poor pass by a supporting player. Things were getting nervy now and that anxiety increased further when a series of penalties allowed Sheffield to move up the pitch and set up the catch and drive line out on 63 minutes. This they rumbled over without fuss and Ireland’s conversion gave them the lead again at 23-19. Crucially, and fortunately for Fylde, one of the Tigers players had celebrated the try in what the officials saw as an unnecessarily excessive manner towards one of the Fylde defenders, to the point that Fylde were awarded a penalty at the re-start. A rare call, and a brave one given it was against the home team. It was a celebration the Tigers were to rue. Smith nailed the penalty kick to touch 10 yards out for a line out. Olli Parkinson was interfered with in the
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