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
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