V HUDDERSFIELD RUFC SATURDAY, 4TH NOVEMBER 2023 KO 15.00
OFFICIAL DIGITAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME
ISSUE 5
www. fylderugby .co.uk
20-21
THEWOODLANDS WELCOMETO
CLUB OFFICERS President
Anthony Hoskisson
Chairman Secretary Treasurer
Matt Filipo Gary Melling Andy Cleasby
07
Immediate Past President
Jeff Gould
Briersy’s & Lono’s Programme Notes
08 Christmas Market 10-11 Mini-Juniors – Reports & Photos: U9s, U13s & U’15s 15 FRCF’s programmes 16-17 Last time out: Leeds Tykes v Fylde 19
GENERAL COMMITEE Chairman of Rugby
Mark Nelson Mark Windows
M-J Chair
M-J Secretary
Neil Riley
Commercial
Mike Davies
Volunteers Co-ordinator
Roger Westbrook
Club Discipline
Richard Todd
Safeguarding Lead
Caroline Melling
RUGBY MANAGEMENT Joint Head Coaches
Chris Briers & Alex Loney
Hawks Coach Steve Gough Rugby Operations Manager Warren Atkinson 1st XV Registrar “ “ rugbyoperations@fylderugby.co.uk 07429 456955 Resources Manager Peter Conway Saracens & Vandals Jay Harrison, Baz Tucker Referee Liaison Allan Townsend 4th Official Ian Cosh Match Day & Fixture Official Patrick Townsend
A view of RU and Non-League Football at Community Level
20-21 Today’s Squads 22
Fireworks Display, 5th November
MEDICAL Lead Therapist
Archie Dubbins Luke Charnock Jess McIntyre
23 25
1st XV Sports Therapist
Fylde v Tynedale: Big Match Preview
Hawks Therapist
CLUB OFFICIALS Grounds & Maintenance Media, Comms & Archives
Mark Nelson’s A Bit of an Art Do no 11
Patrick Townsend
Allan Foster
Gates
John Wilkinson
31
1st XV appearances and scorers
STAFF General Manager
34
Jack Little
The Hawks: a ‘no holds barred’ view from Coach Steve Gough
Commercial & Mkting Mgr Sponsorship & Events Mgr
Naomi Dempsey Hayley Salisbury
Bars & Catering Mgr
Heather Allen Daniel Koper
Fylde Rfc, Woodlands Memorial Ground, Blackpool Road, Lytham St Annes Fy8 4El, Lancashire Phone: 01253 734733 Email: info@fylderugby.co.uk
Chef
www. fylderugby .co.uk
03 3
5
PHILL MILLS IS NEW HAWKS COACH BREAKING: Phill Mills is the Hawks new Head Coach Fylde RFC is delighted to announce that Phill Mills has been appointed as Head Coach of Fylde Hawks for the 2022-23 season. He takes over from Dominic Moon who has stood down due to business commitments. Phill is an accomplished former Lancashire, England Counties and Fylde flanker/hooker who has also had spells at Preston Grasshoppers and Rossendale. At the age of 28 he was recently forced to retire prematurely through injury. He is also the Fylde Rugby Community Foundation Manager heading up the Foundation’s various and extremely successful rugby and sporting programmes in educational and adult communities along the Fylde Coast. He has many years experience of coaching young and older people in a wide variety of environments. Fylde’s Chairman of Rugby Steve Rigby said: “It was a sad day for the whole club and our County when Phill Mills followed medical advice and announced his retirement from rugby after a series of concussions made it a sensible decision. As a combative hard-running flanker, his energy around the park was very hard to replace, and the game temporarily lost a valuable asset.
major asset and couldn’t be happier to have him back involved directly in player development.” Phill Mills said: ““I am really looking forward to getting started with the new coaching position and preparing for the first games with the Hawks squad. I know from being a past player,
training and playing with the current group that they are an ambitious, talented and have a great team bond which goes a long way in developing a great team. I’m excited to be a part of this!” Fylde Hawks is the Club’s development route to the 1st XV and plays in the North West Independent Rugby Union League (NOWIRUL) Premier Division. An increasing number of young players are progressing through its ranks to 1st XV National League appearances.
Windmill Lodge is due to open in late Summer 2022, providing compassionate care in a warm, safe and secure environment.
The purpose-built lodge will also offer a Day Centre for those requiring extra support and companionship but are not ready to move into full-time residential care.
Providing compassionate care
However, Phill has been a great success in heading up the Fylde Rugby Community Foundation over the last few years, taking Rugby into several non-playing schools and spreading access to the game throughout the area. In addition, Walking and Wheelchair Rugby are now activities available through the Foundation under Phill’s leadership in his day time job. With last season’s Hawks Coach Dominic Moon leaving the Club in the summer due to work commitments, it was the perfect time to bring Phill’s coaching expertise to replace him, and for him to work with a talented squad. The Club knows Phill will be a Residential Care General Nursing Care Day Centre
Residential Dementia Care
Dementia Nursing Care
6 www.windmilllodge.co.uk 01253 800 000 Wilding’s Lane, Lytham St Annes, FY8 3RJ
BRIERSY’S & LONO’S & LONO’S PROGRAMME NOTES
Alex Loney writes: “A warm welcome to everyone attending the Woodlands for the National League 2 fixture vs Huddersfield. In the past couple of weeks (one for Fylde), there have been two ‘free’ weeks in the league, which is always a good chance for players to rest their bodies from the physical demands of a tough league. Fylde’s last outing was against unbeaten side Leeds. This was a much improved performance from the previous week but still didn’t produce the win everyone is working hard to achieve. The players are training with focus and effort at present, and improved performance is promising, but the objective is always to turn this into league points, which we are striving to achieve today. Huddersfield have been a tough opponent in this league for a number of seasons. They are determined, have powerful runners and will do everything to get their threats in the game. The World Cup is now over, the clocks have changed to bring in the fullness of the winter months. However, hopefully today’s match can bring some excitement for the Fylde supporters following 2 below performances at home. The 1st XV playing group are confident and motivated to get everything right this week for a home win. Enjoy!” Fylde RFC is delighted to announce that Joint Head Coaches Chris Briers and Alex Loney have committed themselves to the Club until the end of the 2024-25 season. The two former professional players who finished their playing careers at Fylde took up this joint role ahead of the 2021-22 season and continued in 2022-23 when their squad finished as runners- up in National League Two (North).
Photo: Chris Briers and Alex Loney.
ELSEWHERE IN NATIONAL TWO (NORTH) TODAY
BILLINGHAM
v
LEEDS TYKES
14:15
LYMM
v
HULL IONIANS
15:00
PRESTON G
v
SHEFFIELD TIGERS
14:30
ROTHERHAM T
v
OTLEY
14:00
TYNEDALE
v
SHEFFIELD
14:00
WHARFEDALE
v
HULL
14:00
Other Fylde game today: Fylde Hawks v Blackburn 2nds (ko 14.15) on the top pitch; Fleetwood Wyresiders v Fylde Vandals
www. fylderugby .co.uk
7
Allan Townsend, ‘Mr Fylde’, was born in Preston in 1934. His family moved to Kirkham some years later and he attended Kirkham Grammar School where rugby was pretty much compulsory! After a chance meeting on Kirkham Railway Station with a young Fylde player, David Lyon, he joined the Club in 1955 and had two seasons as a player before serving in the Merchant Navy for a seven year spell which took him around the world several times. He worked subsequently at English Electric Co in Preston as an engineer. He married Sheila in 1959 and their two boys, Sean & Patrick, followed thereafter and eventually formed the ‘Townsend Dynasty’ which collectively has served the Club so well to the current day. Allan was a member of the front row union, either as a prop or a hooker. He made appearances for any of the Fylde teams who wanted him. On one notable occasion, 1st XV manager, Peter Makin, asked him to play the following day, a Bank Holiday, for the 1st team at Leicester. He had to pass up that chance due to another commitment. He was never asked again! In the 1960s he was photographed in the famous front row of Brian Joyce, Richard Carter & AT. When his playing career ended through injury, he was persuaded by George Norman to think about refereeing and he joined the Manchester & District Referees’ Society in the early 1970s. As well as officiating around Lancashire club games over a 20 year period up to the early 1990s, in 1973 he took on the important and onerous role of Fylde’s ‘referee liaison’ for all the Club’s home games. He continues in this role to this day, celebrating his 50th year in the job in 2023. He always gives visiting referees at the Woodlands a warm reception. He became a much valued member of
the Manchester & District Society (‘Madrefs’ as it’s known) Executive and eventually became its President for a two year spell. He continues to travel to the Society’s meetings, only this week at Sedgley Park in North Manchester. Allan has also served in various positions on Fylde’s General Committee over many years and was honoured to serve as Club President for four years up to 2011. Less known generally is his role as one of the instigators of Mini-Junior rugby at the Club along with Peter Makin, Jack Quarnby and coached by Bob Barclay. The photograph of Allan briefing these youngsters at their first ever training session in 1974 is iconic. From very modest beginnings this has become an extremely successful venture with some 350 young players regularly seen at the Woodlands on Sunday mornings. Allan’s contribution to the development of Fylde RFC has been quite outstanding. In his quiet and business-like way, he has been an immense presence around the Club for 68 years, a wonderful ambassador and volunteer. If ever there was an ‘unsung hero’ in community rugby clubs it is Allan. Fylde’s Chairman of Rugby Mark Nelson said: “Every Club has families that are part of the fabric of the place and Fylde is no exception. One of those
8
ONE OF THE
experience to the Club to make the key element of officiating the game every match day, whichever teams are playing at the Woodlands, run as smoothly as possible and make sure that our visiting officials are made to feel welcome and have a great experience at the club. “It is an unheralded role, yet one of the most important things to sort out every week. I would like to congratulate and heartily thank Allan for all his efforts down the years. He, like his sons Patrick and Sean, and the much missed Sheila, remain stalwarts of the club. “In these days of uncertainty about where the game is heading, it is massively important to recognise the contribution that volunteers like Allan make to the club and game as a whole. Cheers Allan, enjoy your 50th year looking after our Refs and AR s week in, week out.“
families are the Townsends. Allan is entering his 50th year of service in organising the officiating side of the game at the Club. He has been involved in many capacities but it is his contribution to refereeing that overarches the decades of contribution. “Allan is a key member of the MADREFS ( Manchester and District Referees Society ) and brought his wealth of knowledge, contacts and
www. fylderugby .co.uk
9
MINI JUNIOR IN 2023-24 U15: Fylde 75 v Old Bedians 0: report by John Reynolds
In the U15’s latest Lancashire Cup match, Fylde faced Old Bedians and delivered an impressive performance. The team displayed excellent teamwork as every member of the squad made significant contributions. They showcased controlled determination in both their attacking and defensive plays, immediately applying pressure to their opponents, which led to crucial errors and enabled Fylde to maintain possession. While there is room for improvement in their rucking, the team held onto the ball effectively and consistently posed a threat to the opposition. Jacob F and Ethan S exhibited their dominance throughout the game, and the team’s attacks were particularly potent when they swiftly moved the ball out to their wingers, Amin J and Charlie F. These two players utilized their speed to score some remarkable team tries. Xavier D demonstrated his excellent kicking skills by successfully converting all but one of Fylde’s seven tries. The team’s relentless effort and exceptional sportsmanship were evident throughout the game, making it a proud performance for this developing team. Fylde U9’s vs Blackburn: report by Ollie Wan In a challenging encounter, our team faced Blackburn, arguably the toughest opponents we’ve encountered this season. Blackburn displayed a high level of physicality and a more intense focus, which initially caught our players off guard. However, as the match
progressed, we saw significant improvements and adaptation to the demanding contest. Kudos to our team for the way they finished the game, displaying remarkable determination with hard-fought tries against a formidable defensive setup. Their resilience and refusal to give up were commendable. This week’s “TREDS Player of the Week” recognition goes to Ollie W, who delivered an outstanding and gutsy performance on both ends of the field. If only we could bottle his performance today. Special mentions also go out to William D, Ralph K, and Nathan W for their unwavering determination. Well done to the entire team! Fylde U13s 30 – 15 West Park U13s – Lancs Cup Round 3 15/10/23: report by Gary Melling Tries: Tom C, Manny E, Hugo H, Henry F, Will H and Harvey A West Park U13s arrived to a sunny Fylde with the two squads not having played each other since U8s thus a step into the unknown (save for a number of calls with other team managers for some intel prior to the game). West Park started the brighter with the Fylde squad as a
10
and brought to a close a fast flowing tough first half 20-10. Some words were had at half time, and not between the lads, with the referee having to explain to West Park coaches on high and other forms of dangerous tackling. The second half began with some end to end play from both teams. Tackles coming in thick and fast with some great shifts coming in from the engine room in the form of Jack S, Manny E, Henry L and their merry men. Monty M, Will H and Henry F continued to prod and test the West Park line culminating in one of the West Park centres losing the plot and earning himself a yellow card. At least he knew he had done wrong and accepted it graciously (unlike some of the travelling support). The game moved on with it bouncing between the teams 22s but tries from Hugo H and Will H settled any doubt of the result, even when West Park went over for one more try at the death. So brought to a close a game that if West Park had had a game plan might have been closer but in the end it finished Fylde 30 – 15 West Park.
whole seemingly still wanting to be in their beds. This nervy start and an initial high tempo from West Park allowed them to score two easy tries within the first 10 minutes. Fylde passes were not sticking and the Fylde lads had a desire to just keep running into traffic even though there was plenty of space out wide if only they had gone through the hands quickly. Maybe it was the lack of game plan from West Park, other than trying to inflict damage on their opposite numbers that unnerved the Fylde lads initially, or was it just a hangover from the NZ v Ireland game the night before …. who knows. Thankfully some home
MoM: Manny E and Jack S
truths from the coaches woke the Fylde pack up a bit along with the tough tackling coming in brought the lads to their senses and Fylde came back strong with quick tries form Tom C, Henry F and Harvey A to get us back on track and into a commanding position. A further try from Manny E settled the nerves
www. fylderugby .co.uk
11
Life is for living
We take pride in helping our clients achieve financial peace of mind.
We’re one of the UK’s leading financial planning firms with an office in Lytham, providing bespoke advice and a strategy which is exclusively tailored to your needs and goals.
Speak to us today.
LIVERPOOL EAST LANCASHIRE PRESTON EDINBURGH 01704 500324 | info@ludco.co.uk | www.ludco.co.uk SOUTHPORT FYLDE
The Ludlow Wealth Management Group is directly authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.
It means the world to you, so it does to us too.
13
Community Foundation provided coaches to help develop the skills and techniques of the young players, and referees were on hand to ensure the games were played fairly and with maximum enjoyment. Additionally, a special recognition was given to one player who scored the best try of the festival. The medal for the ‘Best Try’ was awarded to the deserving recipient, who We know how much you care about good catches and good matches. That’s how much we care about your finances. demonstrated excellent rugby skills and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Questa Chartered are proud supporters of Fylde Rugby Club. Based on the Fylde coast and with a history of Fylde players in our midst going back generations, we help clients with savings, investments, mortgages*, pensions, retirement planning, tax, trusts, workplace pensions and more. Lanes Vets were delighted to support the festival and promote their commitment to the local community. Lanes Vets has been serving the local Questa takes immense pride in being an active part of our local community, and we’ll continue to be avid and active supporters of the club - we look forward to many more years supporting such an integral part of Fylde’s history. To find out more about what we do, visit us at questachartered.co.uk or call us
area for over 40 years and offers a range of pet healthcare services.
For more information on The Fylde Rugby Community Foundation, visit their website at https:/ www.fylderugbyfoundation. com/ For more information on Lanes Vets, visit their website at https:/ lanesvets. com/ Contact: The Fylde Rugby Community Foundation Phone: 07534 321 418 Email: community@ fylderugbyfoundation.com Email: garstang@lanesvets.com
Good hands!
on 01253 83 00 50 . If you’d rather see us in person then why not come into our office and say hello. We’re also available for virtual meetings if you would prefer. Your first meeting to discuss your financial goals is carried out at our expense, and we have good tea and coffee, too!
*Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
14
Questa House, Croft Court, Plumpton Close, Whitehills Business Park, Blackpool FY4 5PR
FRCF: As we wrap up another successful Rugby and Multi-Sports Camp, generously sponsored by Wooden Spoon, the “Children’s Charity of Rugby,” we are thrilled to share the highlights of our October Half Term Camp. Over the course of four days, we had the privilege of hosting more than 40 children between the ages of 5 and 11, hailing from various areas in Blackpool, Fylde, and Wyre. During this time, the young participants not only had the opportunity to engage in rugby and sports but had the chance to learn the core values that underpin this great sport. The kids immersed themselves in a wide array of enjoyable sports, games, and activities, ranging from challenging obstacle courses to the creative activity of pumpkin carving. Thanks to the support and generosity of Wooden Spoon, we were able to grant 12 children a free place on our camp which included breakfast and a hot lunch. Amelia Bullock, our Rugby Development Manager, shared her excitement: “Once again, it has been fantastic to see the number of children enjoying and attending our half-term camp. They’ve taken part in so many different games and activities, including Halloween-themed arts and crafts! It’s great to see children from all different backgrounds come and experience rugby and many other sports for the first time, and I cannot wait for our next Winter Camp!”. Now, our sights are set on the next Rugby and Multi-Sport Camp scheduled for January 4th and 5th 2024. If you’re eager to secure a spot, please visit www.clubs-hub. com/fylderugbycommunityfoundation or contact amelia@ fylderugbyfoundation.com The Fylde Rugby Community Foundation Announces Wheelchair Rugby Fixture The Fylde Rugby Community Foundation is excited to announce an upcoming wheelchair rugby event kindly supported by Wareing Buildings and JM Cars, which is set to bring sporting action and inclusivity to the forefront. This
WOODEN SPOON RUGBY AND MULTI-SPORTS CAMP MARKS ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL HALF-TERM
event will see The Fylde Rugby Community Foundation’s wheelchair rugby team take on the Newcastle Barbarians wheelchair rugby team in two exciting games on the 12th of November.
The first game, set to kick off at 11:30am, in this unique match, a mix of able-bodied individuals and those with physical disabilities from both teams will join forces. The Fylde Rugby Community Foundation will be represented by players from diverse backgrounds, including able-bodied individuals, physically disabled athletes, and even friends and family members who
are excited to showcase their skills on the court. After a quick lunchtime break, the second fixture will commence at 1:30pm. Coach and Rugby Development Manager Ben, expressing his enthusiasm for the event, said, “We are thrilled to host this unique wheelchair rugby event and plan for more in future. Our goal is to bring the community together, create opportunity and showcase the abilities of all our participants. We invite everyone to come and watch these matches, support the players, and support the foundation.” Myles Pearson, coach/player in The Fylde Rugby Community Foundation’s wheelchair rugby team, shared his excitement about playing and helping to coach the squad during their first friendly, stating, “this event is going to be great fun and an opportunity for our players to play other players from another club and learn from the experience. it’s a good opportunity to showcase our skills, grow as a team, and welcome the community to experience the joy of wheelchair rugby.” This event is open to all, and we encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to join us at AKS High School Sports Hall on the 12th of November. FY8 1DT.
For more information, please contact: Ben, email: Ben@ fylderugbyfoundation.com
15
LASTTIMEOUT LAST TIME OUT: FYLDE LEEDS TYKES 30 V FYLDE 17: REPORT BY SIMON TAYLOR a couple of line outs 10 yards out but the throw in misfired and Fylde were able to clear.
For the second consecutive away game Fylde travelled back across the M62 from Yorkshire with no league points, but plenty of positives, as they put in a much-improved performance from the home defeat to Tynedale a week earlier. An excellent first and last half hour saw them give leaders Leeds their sternest test of the season so far. A 20-minute spell either side of half time ultimately proved the difference as Fylde lost two men to the sin bin and shipped four tries during that costly period. Leeds ran out winners by four tries to three, securing their eighth straight bonus point win to maintain their perfect start to their season as they attempt to bounce back from relegation. Despite the positives, this was Fylde’s 5th straight defeat, after only suffering three defeats all last season. Frustratingly, Fylde will know that the performance they put in on Saturday, had it been replicated earlier, would almost certainly have meant three of those five defeats would have been wins. Coaches Alex Loney and Chris Briers rang the changes both tactically and through necessity, as they continue to have to contend with both short, and longer-term injuries and look to come up with a horses for courses game plan. With Dave Fairbrother missing his third game out of the last four, Toby Harrison was again at number eight with the returning Ethan Hall-Lyon and Sam Parker joining him in the back row. Tom Carleton was unavailable, so Tom Forster joined Jordan Dorrington in the centres with Alex Clayton continuing at full back. Young scrum half Will Wootton got his first full start, and played the full eighty, having time to show what a fine prospect he is. On a pleasant, dry, and still day, Fylde showed a shift in their focus, looking to avoid the slow start that cost them the game at Rotherham a fortnight earlier. A solid first exit and greater use of the box kick to push Leeds back reaped rewards as they forced errors and kept Leeds pinned back. Leeds gained exits by forcing a penalty at the first scrum and led the early penalty count in general as an arm wrestle ensued. The game was open with both teams showing adventure but defences holding firm until they were able to force an error. Leeds had
Jordan Dorrington made a nice break from his own 22 and fed Sam Parker who burst 50 yards up the middle of the pitch, Will Wootton threw a long pass out to Adam Lanigan but Fylde could not clear out at the breakdown and Leeds turned the ball over. They advanced up the field themselves and earnt a penalty in front of the sticks on Fylde’s 22. Fylde had kept free scoring Leeds, with an average of 45 points a game this season, quiet so far, but stand- off Seremia Turagabeci knocked the kick over and finally, on 22 minutes, the first score had arrived. Fylde were not daunted and continued to use the both the box kick and tactical kicking in general effectively. They chased one such kick aggressively on 25 minutes with a Leeds defender making a hash of an attempted offload. Jordan Dorrington pounced on the loose ball for the score, the conversion failed but Fylde were in front at 5-3. Back came Leeds with Fylde on the defensive for 5 minutes on their own 22. Toby Harrison put a great hit in to stop one attack only to be yellow carded, not for the hit but for repeated team infringements, when Leeds had not been camped in the red zone and no team warning appeared to have been given. The yellow seemed harsh and allowed Turagabeci to slot another penalty and nudge Leeds back in front 6-5. Fylde then had a difficult and inaccurate 10-to-15- minute spell and Leeds made hay while the sun shone, which was to ultimately prove decisive. A poor read in defence left an overlap which was exploited to put the Leeds winger free for a 50-yard gallop. With the defence unable to re-organize Leeds recycled ball and Adebowale Ademakin crashed over for a converted try near the posts. A nasty head wound forced Corey Bowker off, as he was replaced by Alex Brooks, and Tye Raymont replaced Pete Altham in the other prop berth. Another 50-yard break by Leeds in the backs led to more defensive disarray, two penalties and a yellow card to Greg Smith. The catch and drive lineout gave Ademakin his second try in 5 minutes and, from competing on an even footing for 30 minutes, Fylde went into the break 20-5 down and would be starting the second half with only 13 men on the pitch. Fylde withstood early 2nd half pressure until the 47th minute when, with Fylde still one man down, 16
PUSH LEAGUE LEADERS ALL THE WAY’ Leeds fashioned on overlap on the right wing for Henry MacNab to score and put Leeds further ahead at 25-5. Credit to Fylde, they managed to re- group, got back to their full complement, and made some changes. Matt Ashcroft and Tane Bentley replaced Olli Parkinson and Sam Parker in the pack and Fylde wrestled some possession and territory gains back.
A sharp break by Will Wootton put Leeds on the back foot and at the next phase skipper Ben Gregory ran a gorgeous line to slice through like the proverbial knife through butter to touch down near the posts. Greg Smith converted, and it was 25-12 to Leeds on 50 minutes. Fylde had chances to ramp up the pressure but a missed penalty kick to touch then an overthrown line out gave Leeds easy outs, as they forged up field again, and on 53 minutes MacNab got his brace with the only soft try of the day to put Leeds 30-12 up. After this flurry of scoring, the last 27 minutes turned into a competitive tussle, defensive structures back in place for both teams, with all the prodding and probing coming to nought. Fylde really fronted up in this period, Tye Raymont in particular putting in a monster hit and some muscular carries. Ethan Hall-Lyon had a strong game on his return, Matt Garrod and Olli Parkinson’s line-out work as always was excellent and Will Wootton has zip and feistiness to his game, shown in a highland wrestling session he had with a much bigger fellow in a dust-up episode that nearly led to an-in melee during this period. Toby Harrison, as ever, was his usual 8 to 9 out of 10, Fylde’s most effective clear-out man for sure. The effort and endeavour 1 to 20 was there for all to see. No one can say Fylde do not put their all in, often against much heftier opponents. In the last ten minutes Fylde camped out in the Leeds 22 and forced a raft of penalties, including three at the scrum and finally a yellow card to Tom Williams, with barely seconds left on the clock. A quick tap and go by Will Wootton at the last penalty created enough space for the overlap and Tom Forster touched down wide out on the left to give Fylde the last say as time ran out. 30-17 at final knockings meant it was the least points scored in a game by Leeds this season and one of their toughest tests so far, although Fylde coaches Loney & Briers will be looking for more than that of course.
There is no doubt this is a tough spell for Fylde, who have become accustomed to winning way more than they lose. The two recent defeats away at the top two teams, Rotherham and Leeds, in themselves, are not so much the issue, it is the three losses around them, in eminently winnable games, that are the disappointing aspect. The coaches and players will now have a week off before returning to the Woodlands on the 4th November for the visit of bottom of the table Huddersfield, when all concerned will look to halt this losing sequence and get the train back on the tracks. Joint Head Coach Alex Loney said: “Overall, we’re much happier with the performance in comparison to previous weeks. I thought that a lot of the detail we’ve worked on in training was much improved especially in providing width in defence. We put a lot of field pressure on Leeds at various times in the match but unfortunately there were a couple of key moments where we let them off and gave them scoring opportunities. “Going away to Leeds who are on a good run and unbeaten in the league was never going to be easy. But to get that level of competition where we went toe to toe with the Tykes for a good proportion of the game was excellent. “We take a lot of confidence from that but ultimately we don’t want to be patting ourselves on the back for a good performance but not getting results. In the weeks ahead reversing this is firmly on our minds. But first things first, the performance was much better and the lads should be proud of that. It will give them confidence as we approach coming games.”
www. fylderugby .co.uk
17
BIG MATCH
It is 94 years since Fylde and Otley first played each other, meeting twice in the 1928-29 season. On 27th October 1928 Otley won 18-9 at Cross Green but Fylde gained revenge, 8-6, at the Woodlands on 1st April 1929. This became a regular fixture thereafter, twice a season until 1968-69 with the fixture at the Woodlands scheduled to coincide with Blackpool’s Illuminations. From 1969-70 the two clubs played each other once a season, alternating home and away. The onset of league rugby broke this pattern in 1990. By this time, they had played each other 87 times in club matches, with Fylde winning 56, drawing 6 and Otley winning 25. The clubs met in league competition for the first time on 25th April 1992 at the Woodlands, the final day of the 1991- 2 season. This was particularly important for Fylde who needed to win to secure promotion, along with Richmond, to National Division Two. It was a very tense occasion and Fylde just came out on top. It was in the 1999-2000 season when Otley were on their way upwards through the leagues, whilst Fylde
season, winning 15 and losing 7 games. One of their victories was a 28-27 triumph against Fylde at their famous old Cross Green ground.
Otley’s Head Coach is PE teacher Kyle Dench, a well known former centre at Otley, Harrogate and a regular Yorkshire County cap. They have a strong squad, with a mix of experienced campaigners, also with Yorkshire County honours, and young talent. In the game between the two clubs in February, their powerful pack caused particular problems for Fylde in the tight and loose exchanges. Fylde’s scrummaging and lineout play will have to be accurate if they are to provide their dangerous backline with sufficient possession to test the visitors’ defence. The Otley pack features props Jason Moss, Billy Nicholls and Ethan Thiart, hooker Luke Cole, highly experienced locks Simon Willett and Brett Mitchell, and a backrow including accomplished no 8 Adam Malthouse, Ben Wadington and Sam Hodge. But Otley are far from a one trick forwards-dominated team. They showed in the February game that they can attack wide with menace through a dangerous backline featuring Callum Irving, Sam Taylor, Clark Wells and brothers Charles and Elliot Morgan. Fly-half is usually Eddie Crossland and he’s most often partnered by scrum-half and goal kicker Joe Rowntree but the latter has missed recent matches. Leading points scorer is Rowntree with 90, with wing Clark Wells heading the try count with 11. Our visitors are not only one of the oldest clubs in England but is almost certainly the only club in the world that can count a Nobel Physics Prize winning scientist as a former player! Albert Fert, together with German scientist Peter Gruen-berg, have shared the award for their independent discoveries, in the 1980s, of a process allowing huge amounts of data to be squeezed into ever-smaller spaces - now used by billions of people on their computers and digital music players. The scientist, born in 1938, actually played in the back row for Otley RUFC in the mid 1970s, mostly in the second team. He was in West Yorkshire at the time, working with professors Jim Morgan and Denis Greig on the conduction of electricity by magnetic metals at the University of Leeds.
were slipping down. By the 2003-4 season, Otley were competing at level 2, Fylde at level 4. Seven seasons later, Fylde were promoted back to level 3 whilst Otley were relegated to level 4. So once again, the clubs avoided each other in league action. A gap of 18 years separated fixtures between the clubs until they met again in 2018-19. For Otley, life in National Two (North) since 2010 has been rather up and down. They finished 5th in 2012-13 but dropped to mid-table for the rest of the decade until a poor 2019-20 campaign saw them slip down to the regional divisions at level 5. But there was an immediate improvement and they stormed to the championship of North Premier last season and a return to National Two for 2022-23 – and it has been a successful campaign as they’ve been in the top four in the division for most of the
18
AVIEWOFSEMI-PRORUGBY FROM A LOCAL FOOTBALL WRITER
Michael Ball, aka the ‘West Lancs Wanderer’, is a North West writer/blogger on non-league football. He spent the 14th October at the Fylde v Tynedale National Two (North) match at the Woodlands at the invitation of Fylde Chairman of Rugby, Mark Nelson. His reflections on the common elements of rugby and football below the very elite level are particularly interesting. Thanks for this article Michael!
This visitor hasn’t a clue. Another bugbear of rugby can be the over-importance of the penalty kick, but happily this is a relatively fluid, open encounter, which can only cheer those who think rugby should be more of a running game, akin to that in the halcyon days of Jeremy Guscott, Rory Underwood and, at Fylde, Brendan Hanavan. At half-time, after a slow start, Fylde trail 15-22, having scored two late tries against four. Early in the second half, Fylde, whose players have adverts on their posteriors, lead briefly for the first time. They score the day’s best try with a fine line break by Corey Bowker, but Tynedale rightly prevail, with six tries to four. A game not decided by kicking brings five points for the winners, two for Fylde. Overall, the game seems to pass in a flash and indeed it’s good entertainment. Although some tries are down to rather dull close- range forward drives, both teams take quick penalties and put on some stirring running rugby, while the respect for the referee is total. Understandably Nelson, a lifelong Burnley fan on account of his upbringing in Colne, whose nephew Kit has signed pro terms with Preston North End, offers that as an example for football. ‘Discipline,’ he says instantly when asked what football could learn from rugby. ‘Respect for the officials, player behaviour, spectator behaviour. It’s all very well having rivalry, but there’s no segregation in rugby and no violence.’ As for what rugby could learn from football, conscious of the demise of such well-known rugby clubs as Worcester and Wasps, he focuses on how football is run at the top end. ‘We could look a lot at how the clubs run themselves, how the players hone technical skills and the dietary analysis. The way the agents work and how the players’ pensions are looked after is also important. Rugby could also learn a lot from the insurance arrangements. If you’re a pro footballer, you do get looked after. There’s a lot we can pull from football.’ For the moment, though, there’s still two weeks of rugby’s World Cup, with England up against Fiji. What of the prospects for Steve Borthwick’s side? ‘I think England should be able to overcome Fiji and just maybe are timing it right.’ Can he see England winning it? ‘I can, but I wouldn’t predict it,’ he grins. ‘Seven out of 10’ is the match rating in terms of spectator appeal for Nelson, an animated onlooker who doubtless rates Fylde’s performance rather lower. It has been an enjoyable day, after twigging that a yellow card means the sinbin. Some things were mystifying – what is this 50:20 rule and shouldn’t scrum put-ins be straight? Why do hordes of water carriers invade the pitch so regularly? But it won’t be another 25 years before this blog returns to rugby.
FLUID FARE AT FYLDE OFFERS A WELCOME REMINDER
Fylde 30, Tynedale 34 Saturday October 14, 2023
Moral standards appear to be rather higher in rugby union than certain other sports we might care to mention. When the referee, sporting a natty green top, brandishes a yellow card, the player in question takes himself off for a whole 10 minutes. Yet a yellow card is a booking, right? They do things differently in the game with the odd-shaped ball, which in recent years has been peripheral for this non-league football fan. Thankfully, expert help in understanding what unfolds is on hand in the shape of a neighbour in the press box and Fylde’s chairman of rugby Mark Nelson. The latter is also an accomplished artist and musician – chapeau, Monsieur. Prompted by the World Cup, with England in the quarter-finals, it’s a first visit to the Fylde club in Lytham this century. Tynedale, based in Northumberland, are in town for a National League 2 North encounter and Fylde, after three defeats, need a win. This visitor, having drifted away from rugby after youthful enthusiasm, needs good entertainment – at £12 for entry, especially so. ‘The World Cup overall has been fantastic,’ says Nelson before the action. ‘We are into the knockout stages and I think it has been superb.’ Is he aware of non-rugby followers converted to the game? ‘Very much so – I’ve a group of friends who are non-rugby people and all they want to talk about is rugby. ‘They’re all football fans, Blackpool, Manchester United. Their passion is football, but they’ve really got into the rugby. In fact one, a Manchester United season ticketholder, has got tickets and is in France now. The tournament has really grabbed his imagination, helped massively by being on terrestrial TV.’ The TV cameras visit Fylde only rarely, but it’s a good standard of rugby, equivalent perhaps to football’s Conference North. The club, known for ex-player Bill Beaumont, a former England captain and now chairman of World Rugby, offers a slick matchday experience in an extended clubhouse. Some things, however, never change – some refereeing decisions remain unfathomable even to clued-up spectators. ‘What was that decision, Nelly?’ is a question in the first half from Fylde’s media man to Nelson, prompting blank looks and much shaking of heads.
www. fylderugby .co.uk
19
Are your financ www.ludco.co.uk
COACHES: CHRIS BRIERS AND ALEX LONEY FORWARDS Peter Altham (prop) Matt Ashcroft (prop) Valu Tanē Bentley.(flanker)
Corey Bowker (prop) Alex Brooks (prop)
Harlan Corrie (backrow) David Fairbrother (no 8) Matt Garrod (lock) Ben Gregory (hooker) Ethan Hall-Lyon (lock/backrow) Toby Harrison (backrow) Adam Lewis (prop) Toby Merrick (lock) Sam Parker (hooker) Olli Parkinson (lock) Cameron Railton (hooker) Tye Raymont (prop) James Robinson (backrow) BACKS Charlie Cadley (scrum-half) Sam Carleton (wing/fullback) Tom Carleton (fullback) Alex Clayton (flyhalf) Jordan Dorrington (wing/15) Tom Forster (centre) Ben Gould (scrum-half) Adam Lanigan (wing) Scott Rawlings (centre) Greg Smith (flyhalf) Sam Stott (centre) Ben Turner (wing) Will Wootton (scrum-half)
TODAY’S OFFICIALS
HENRY PEARSON
JOSH SMITH
GRAHAM BENTLLEY
20
ces under control? Ludlow Wealth Management Group is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. ces under control? Ludlow Wealth Management Group is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Neil Ryan
HEAD COACH:
15 14 13 12
Kian Stewart Adam Ryder
Lewis Workman Edward Barber Finlay Stewart Joe Gallagher
11
10
9
Josh Walker
1
Callum Thompson Henry Moore Harry Whitfield
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Alex Dawson Thiu Barnard Ethan Myers Liam Parfitt Will Hammond
16 17 18 19 20
Andrew Rollins
Lewis Quinn
Leighton Davis Max Horsfall Paul Harrison
www. fylderugby .co.uk
21
A LEGEND RETURNS!
Fylde RFC is delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Gough to the Club’s senior coaching group, with particular responsibility for the Fylde Hawks (the Club’s 2nd team). He will be working closely with the 1st XV’s Joint Head Coaches, Alex Loney and Chris Briers. Steve’s involvement will cement the Hawks as a vital pipeline for young talent through to the Club’s 1st team squad and on to National League rugby. Steve joined Fylde in 1985 as an 18 year old and had a distinguished 13 years tenure at fullback or fly-half and goal kicker in the Club’s campaign at National One (level 3) and Allied Dunbar 2 (level 2). He joined Coventry and then Birmingham Solihull between 1998 & 2001 before returning to the Woodlands as player-coach in the 2001-2 season. In all he made 320 appearances for Fylde and scored 1432 points. Chris Briers said: “There could be no better coach and mentor to young players than ‘Goughie’. Apart from senior coaching experience at Preston Grasshoppers, Tarleton and Fylde, over the last 15 years Steve has managed Myerscough College’s ACE/AASE programmes and is Sale Sharks DiSE (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) Manager and head of rugby. He’s coached many hundreds of young players who have gone on to successful
in the area, and to attract other players from the North West and beyond. Talent acquisition is a very serious objective. “A successful National League club such as Fylde needs a large and strong squad of players if it is to compete successfully and the
Hawks is a vital component in this development route. I expect there will be a significant increase in players based on Steve’s contacts with former students in the area. “Steve will receive a very warm welcome back at the Woodlands!” Steve Gough said: “I am excited to be returning to Fylde where I have had amazing experiences and memories. I am looking forward to the challenge and to work alongside top coaches in Chris and Alex. Having spoken to Nelly, I am convinced the club are heading in the right direction and have a clear plan for developing young talent, supporting the 1st team and wider squad.
careers in elite, semi-professional and community rugby. I worked with him at Myerscough and know that he’s an excellent judge of potential amongst a big pool of mainly Northern rugby talent. He’ll be a great asset to the Club.” Chairman of Rugby Mark Nelson said: “I’ve known and respected Goughie as a player and coach for a very long time. We are determined to continue the development of local young players, in partnership with schools, colleges and universities
22
BIG MATCH
FYLDE v HUDDERSFIELD RUFC
and goings. Their new Head Coach this season is Neil Ryan who has taken over from Gareth Lewis who had nine seasons in charge at
A very warm welcome to our old friends and rivals from Huddersfield RUFC in another Roses battle at the Woodlands today (ko 15.00). This will a meeting of two clubs suffering a difficult early season, both having lost their last five league matches. Fylde are in 8th place in N2(N), Huddersfield are propping up the division of 14 clubs. Nevertheless, both have plenty of talent and today’s game is likely to live up to the excellent matches between the clubs in recent seasons.
Lockwood Park. Neil is well known in the North West as an accomplished former fly-half and senior coach including roles with Lancashire RFU. The newcomers to the squad are a mixture of experienced players from Yorkshire and beyond and the progression of young players who have come through the Club’s development system. The most obvious player connection linking the clubs is former fly-half kicking machine and playmaker Chris Johnson who has had distinguished spells at both. Influential members of the current squad include versatile and experienced star back Lewis Workman and accomplished and free scoring centre Ed Barber, formerly with Halifax, Western Suburbs Rosellas, Dewsbury Rams and the Swinton Lions. Barber leads the points scorers this season with six excellent tries. Amongst a number of cross-code players in the ‘Field squad is newcomer this season, goal kicking fly-half or fullback, George Collins, who has previously played rugby league for Dewsbury Rams, Whitehaven, Midlands Hurricanes, Castleford Tigers and Huddersfield Giants. Ever present dangers in the back three are pacey brothers Kian and Finlay Stewart. In their pack they have retained highly mobile flanker Liam Parfitt and young skipper and Yorkshire County flanker Lewis Bradley. An interesting newcomer this season is No 8/backrower Billy Hammond who has moved from Old Crossleyans, where he played with his four brothers, and previously at Siddal RLFC. A tough front row roster includes former Old Brodlians prop Callum Thompson (who picked an award or two as N2N player of the week last season), hooker Henry Moore and powerful tighthead Andy Rollins, formerly with DMP.
Fylde and Huddersfield first met in league competition in 2008-9 following ‘Fields’ promotion to level 4, National Two (North). In 2012/3 they were relegated back to North Premier (level 5) but came storming back the following season as champions. Another season in N2N led to another immediate relegation but in 2016/17 once again they finished top of the division and were back in N2N in 2017-18 when they performed well and finished 6th and then 4th in 2018-19. 2019-20 was harder and they rather struggled and finished in 12th place, followed by 15th in 2021-22. Relegation would have normally been their fate but they survived due to the reorganisation of the National Leagues. Last season was also tough but they finished one place above the two relegated clubs in 12th. Despite a new Head Coach and selective recruitment in the close season, 2023-24 has continued to be a difficult challenge. A high scoring 41-48 victory on the road at Lymm was promising but their form at Lockwood Park has been both surprising and disappointing having lost all four to date (31-39 v Ionians, 12-49 v Hull, 10-52 v Leeds Tykes & 25-44 v Sheffield Tigers). Both Fylde and Huddersfield have long and distinguished histories amongst Northern clubs. Although the Lancastrians shade the bragging rights since 2008, they have struggled at Huddersfield’s Lockwood Park in the shadow of the magnificent Lockwood Viaduct. The clubs have met on 13 occasions and whilst Fylde are unbeaten at the Woodlands, they have lost four of the six games in Yorkshire. The Huddersfield player roster is pretty stable over the last couple of seasons but there has been a number of comings
www. fylderugby .co.uk
23
EasyPay, Payment Services for Business Enable customers to make quick and secure payments for goods and services with Easy Pay Networks range of payment kiosks, hand-held payment devices and bespoke payment software.
“
Our kiosk is perfect for collecting donations safely and effortlessly, and publicising our upcoming events.
”
KilaRedfearn,Head of Fundraising for Blue Skies Hospitals Fund
• HD touchscreen with fully customisable user and administrator interfaces
• Take cash, card and contactless payments
• Increase efficiency and reduce pressure
• Real-time transactional data and reports
• Live software updates and tech support
Visit easypaynetwork.com to find out more or book your free demo
Or speak to a kiosk expert now: 01253 530 550
TWO NEW RECRUITS TO 1st XV SQUAD We give a very warm welcome to two Sale Sharks Academy players who have joined the Club on a dual registration basis. Scrum-half Will Wootton made his Fylde debut against Lymm at the Woodlands and Tye Raymont came on from the replacements bench at Rotherham Titans and made a try scoring debut!
WILL WOOTTON
The 18 years old scrum-half is a product of Sedbergh School and earned a Senior Sale Academy contract beginning this season.
The livewire back got into rugby after playing as a child with his two brothers. He played his junior rugby at Macclesfield Rugby Club and then, from the age of nine, at Wilmslow Rugby Club.
He has representative honours with the England U18s squad.
Watch the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup 2023 at the Woodlands!
TYE RAYMONT
Leeds-born Tye Raymont started playing rugby at his local club, West Park Leeds, at the age of four, staying there until he was 16.
He went to Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Otley from year seven to year 11 before leaving to go to Bishop Burton College, where he stayed until the age of 18, combining his studies with rugby at Yorkshire Rugby Academy. Tye, who has played for England Rugby at U18s level, joined Sale Sharks Rugby Union Football Club in 2022 and signed his first Senior Academy contract ahead of the 2023/24 season.
[Courtesy of Gareth Lyons]
25
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator