PREVIEW BIG MATCH FYLDE V TYNEDALE
We extend a warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters of our old friends Tynedale RUFC to the Woodlands today (ko 15.00). Fylde and Tynedale have great mutual respect, initially forged in a tragedy which happened on September 25th 2004 at the Woodlands. A collapsed scrum early in the game resulted in severe spinal damage to the young Tynedale prop Ali Johnson. National Two (North) matches between the clubs which began in the 2003-4 season, continued through to 2007-8 at the end of which Tynedale were promoted to National One. Fixtures restarted once more in 2011-12 following Fylde’s promotion to the higher division. One of the legendary pillars of the Tynedale pack in the first ever game between the Clubs on the 13th Sept 2003, prop Peter Southern, is now the Club’s Director of Rugby. Tynedale had a stellar beginning to life in National One finishing successively in 4th, 5th and 5th once again between 2008-2011. However, they began to struggle thereafter and were eventually relegated back to level 4 at the end of the 2014-15 campaign, a path that Fylde followed until their relegation in 2017-18. When fixtures were resumed between the clubs in 2011- 12, the fine 39-28 game at the Woodlands in October was an exemplar of the quality of the National League. Acquaintances were restored again in 2018-19 in National Two (North) and excellent rugby between the clubs continued up to the Covid lockdowns in March 2020. Fylde edge the bragging rights with 14 victories, Tyne on 12, plus one draw in 2006-7. Tynedale finished last season in 6th place just behind Fylde in 5th. Currently, once again, the two clubs are similarly positioned, with Fylde in 4th and Tynedale in 6th, with similar records:
at the Woodlands. Their away form has been impressive with wins at Sheffield Tigers, Ionians, Otley, Billingham and Lymm from Nov to date. The two clubs share many similarities as ‘real rugby clubs’, with a strong local identity in Corbridge and vicinity, a
number of senior teams and a very healthy Colts and Mini- Junior set-up. Their beautiful location on the banks of the River Tyne has proved both a huge asset and a significant problem given a couple of very serious floods which caused a lot of damage. But this is a resilient club and they’ve fought back after these issues. One of their lead coaches is Carl Fearns and with his other coaches they has built a loyal squad with a mixture of
experienced campaigners and thrusting local young talent. Representing the first category is former England Counties lock Chris Wearmouth who, after a decade at Blaydon, moved to Tynedale Park ahead of the 2018-19 campaign. He has run up well over 300 senior National League appearances in a fine career. Playmaking and goal kicking responsibilities this season have been shared between two accomplished young fly-halves, Josh Leslie and Jake Rodgers. Centre Cameron Grant has also done his share of goal kicking. They have been partnered most often by scrum-half James Telford. They have dangerous backs including, in particular, winger Will Roberts who has notched a highly impressive 18 tries and leads the try scorers in National Two (North) along with
FYLDE 19 11 0 8 603 508 95 13 5 62 TYNEDALE 19 8 3 8 521 595 -74 13 3 54
Tynedale had a very rocky start to the season and drew two and lost six in their first 8 matches. They turned the corner in mid-November and have won 8, drawn 1 and lost just 2 since then. Such a strong recent record will give them plenty of confidence when they visit the Woodlands and will be looking to repeat their form which saw them notch a double over Fylde last season including a 28-34 victory
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