LASTTIMEOUT PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS 27 FYLDE 41 REPORT BY SIMON TAYLOR
Fylde’s first road trip of the new season was one of several local derbies in National 2 North as they made the short trip to Lightfoot Lane to meet their old foes Preston Grasshoppers. In scorching hot temperatures, where a gentle game of crown green bowls would have been hard going, both teams then contributed in equal measure to a highly entertaining affair in front of a sun baked and appreciative 1500 strong crowd. When the shadows finally lengthened Fylde had outscored the hosts 5 tries to 3 for a deserved win, bagging 5 league points. Hoppers made a fast and energetic start on their own midden, perhaps thinking this was a good time to be playing Fylde, who have a cast of stars amongst their walking wounded at present. Fylde kicked off but then didn’t lay a hand on the ball for 2 minutes as Hoppers drove strongly downfield with Ed Keohane bursting over and Will Hunt converting for an early 7-0 lead. Fylde then soaked up 10 minutes of pressure and gained their first penalty to set up the lineout 25 out. Clean ball off the top gave Tom Carleton the chance to hit, spin and bounce out of the tackle before floating a long pass out to give Adam Lanigan a clear run to the line. Greg Smith kicked the conversion from wide out and the score was tied at 7 apiece. Will Hunt kicked two penalties on 13 and 18 minutes to give Hoppers the lead back at 13-7. Fylde remained patient and looked to be incisive when they had good ball and field position. A lovely slicing 40-yard break midfield by Ben Turner, in off his wing, saw play up to the Hoppers line. As the ball was recycled it went to ground, but Tom Forster tidied up, saw the narrowest of channels and exploited it to force over wide out right. A second fine conversion from Smith saw Fylde re-take a narrow lead at 14-13. Fylde now had their best 10-minute spell of the game, which was to ultimately prove the deciding factor. Excellent off the top line out ball from Matt Garrod gave Tane Bentley the chance to put Hoppers on the back foot. Quickly recycled ball and a lovely running line saw Smith put Tom Carleton through near the posts in the 27th minute. 4 minutes later Carleton was at it again, bagging his brace after Fylde had forced penalties and stretched Hoppers again with quick line out ball, strong forward carries and speedily recycled phases. Hoppers were struggling to live with the tempo Fylde were playing at, and with Smith converting both tries, Fylde had forged a healthy 28-13 lead.
Back came Hoppers once again with their sponsors player of the match Jake Maher picking out a mismatch in the Fylde defensive line on 38 minutes and striding in for a fine try. Hunt converted to bring the score back to 28-20 in Fylde’s favour at the interval. The first try of the 2nd half was always going to be important, and fortunately for Fylde it went their way and it was the try of the game. On 46 minutes the silky skilled veteran Greg Smith produced a deft chip over the Hoppers defence. Ben Turner swooped on the bouncing ball, fed skipper Ben Gregory who in turn gave Adam Lanigan enough space to keep the cover defence at bay as he raced in from 20 yards to complete his own brace. Smith made it 5 from 5 conversions and Fylde’s lead was back out to 15 points at 35-20. On 58 minutes he extended the lead to 38-20 with a penalty. Hoppers came back again when Will Hunt’s perfect pin- point cross field led eventually to winger Jack Lightowler notched their third try. Hunt’s conversion brought Hoppers back to 38-27. By now numerous replacements brought fresh legs to the contest and Greg Smith added another penalty to close proceedings. Fylde had sealed local bragging rights in the first of the two derby meetings this season. If the second one in December is as good as this one, then those attending The Woodlands will be richly rewarded.
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