UPDATE MINI-JUNIOR
breaking and Fylde were relieved winners 24-15. A great start. Fylde U15 v Trafford MV U15 – Lancs Cup Round 1 After what felt like an extended summer break from The Woodlands, the Fylde boys returned to action for their first home match of the season—a highly anticipated and competitive fixture against a strong Trafford MV side, played in blustery conditions to start their defence of the Lancs Cup that they won a few short months ago at the end of the U14 season. Both teams made a scrappy start, conceding several early penalties as they adjusted to the challenging wind. Fylde capitalised when they won a scrum deep in Trafford’s 22-metre area. Fylde were awarded a penalty, with Henry F making the most of the wind at his back and slotted the kick to put Fylde ahead 3-0 after just five minutes. Trafford then began to dominate at the breakdown, applying sustained pressure. Unfortunately for Fylde, Henry F was forced off after picking up a heavy knock to his knee during a ruck. Despite this setback, Fylde showed great skill with swift handling out of the breakdown, allowing Tom C to dart over in the corner for the first try of the match. Harvey A stepped up for the conversion but was unable to add the extras from a difficult angle, leaving the score at 8-0 to Fylde. Trafford continued to control the breakdown, and a series of poor decisions from Fylde saw Trafford camped in their twenty- two. Three consecutive penalties and a stern word from the referee followed, before Trafford powered over for their opening try. The conversion attempt missed, keeping the score at 8-5 to Fylde after fifteen minutes. Almost immediately from the restart, Trafford responded in style, launching a powerful drive and displaying slick handling to cross in the corner for a well-constructed team try. The conversion drifted wide, but Trafford had seized the lead at 10-8 with 18 minutes played. With their confidence growing, Trafford began to assert further dominance. Fylde were forced onto the back foot, defending their try line with spirited determination. Thanks to some outstanding and resolute physical defending from the entire Fylde side, they eventually forced a turnover and cleared their lines. Despite this, Trafford’s relentless pressure soon resulted in a penalty. A pinpoint kick to the corner set up a classic driving maul, and the Trafford forwards powered over for their second try of the afternoon. Again, the conversion was missed, giving Trafford a 15-8 advantage after 25 minutes.
U16s Lancs Cup Round 1: Fylde 24 Aldwinians 15
After winning the U15s Lancs Bowl last year, hopes are high for this group. Being promoted to a higher league as a result of that win created some apprehension amongst the group but after 2 friendly victories out of 2 so far this season meant they went into round 1 with some confidence. The squad has deepened a little with some new players joining and Dylan B, Charlie T made their debuts. The game was played in tough conditions, with winds still blowing strong at the back end of Storm Amy. Fylde started badly, with Alwdinians scoring an early try - the team was clearly not fully witched on and numerous missed tackles allowed a free run to the line. Instead of heads going down however, it seemed to snap the group into focus and soon after, Fin L started this campaign where he had left off from last year’s final with scorching pace to beat everyone from the half way line untouched. With the conversion for Henry C it was a lead that Fylde were never to relinquish. It was a scrappy half from there, there were moments of good play from Oakley W and Will G and despite being their own worst enemy, with mistakes through trying to force the play too much and penalties conceded, Fylde scored again with around 10 mins to go in the first half. Henry C fielded a poor opposition exit kick and set about launching an attack. Tev B made strong yards before offloading and the ball then moved quickly back to Henry again who saw a gap, drawing players before putting Fin L in at the corner. The last play of the half saw Jack W intercept a loose pass, as he was caught he looked to offload but unfortunately only to an Alwdinians player, who promptly took advantage of the broken field and managed to get the ball out to their big winger who then scored in the corner. It was an unlucky turn of events just before the half time whistle. The second half started brightly, with Fylde looking after the ball much more carefully. The scrum had been powerful weapon the 1st half, Jayden F and Ty dominating up front. Zac R and Reuben made some good yards and there was good defensive work from David H and Aadi S, looking evermore the archetypal open side. The pressure told around ten minutes in when Fylde managed to execute a driving maul from a line out at the 5m, Jack W scoring the try. Aldwinians then began an extended period of pressure, held up over the line then dropping the ball close to scoring, before finally getting over the line in the corner to bring the scores back to 17-15. With around 5 minutes to go, some great work across the whole team, and a barnstorming run from Jack K, set Fylde up with an easy two on 1 for Will G to go through the gap and score one of his easier finishes. He doesn’t miss from there. Henry C put the conversion over to extend the gap to a more comfortable 9 points. Relentless pressure from Aldwinians and a yellow card for Fylde meant it was a real backs to the wall finish, a real defensive effort was delivered, the line never looked like
As the first half drew to a close, Fylde rallied and advanced deep into Trafford territory. The forwards piled on the pressure,
8
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator