On Saturday we were playing our ninth game of the season at home to old rivals Fylde in this much anticipated Lancashire derby. They had not had a good start to the new campaign but had recorded a big win against Yorkshire side Heath the week before and were looking to build on that success. Fylde have always been a team who like to play open expansive rugby from all areas of the field, keeping the ball alive and playing right to the end. We have played them many times in the past and it has usually been a close entertaining game. Winger Freddie Ferguson was making his debut for the Tigers on the wing and centre Nathan Pope was up against his brother Aaron who was playing for Fylde. It was a beautiful day down at Park Lane with a big crowd looking forward to this derby.
We started well playing up the slope towards the clubhouse taking the game to the visitors and a patient build up of phases deep in their twenty two saw centre Joe Bedlow go over under the posts for the first score. Fly half Oli Glasse added the conversion and we were 7-0 up within the first three minutes. Twelve minutes later another surge into the visitors’ twenty two saw the ball moved to midfield where tight head prop Beltus Nonleh crashed through three tackles to touch down under the posts. Oli again added the extras and we were now 14-0 up with most of the half to go. Fylde to their credit were defending well keeping us out but another lovely passage of play taking the ball deep into their twenty two saw the ball moved quickly left with winger Freddie touching down for his debut try in the corner. We were now 19-0 up playing good controlled rugby in the right areas of the field. Our set piece line outs were accurate and our scrum strong. In the twenty third minute Fylde took the play deep into our half where the ball was moved wide right for winger Leo Gilliland to score in the bottom right hand corner. They followed this up with a second score for Gilliland eight minutes later putting them right back in the game at 19-10 going into the last ten minutes of the half. This was a good game of rugby to watch for the supporters with both sides looking to create scoring chances. Another powerful drive into the visitors’ half which took play close to their line was finished by centre Joe Bedlow (his second) who spun off two tackles and touched down near the posts giving us our fourth and bonus point try. Oli converted and we went further ahead 26-10 going into the last five minutes of the half. The final play of the half started with a line break from Beltus with flanker Alex Minozzi in support to score the Tigers’ fifth try of the afternoon. We went into the break with a 33-10 lead and a very pleasing first half of rugby.
We were looking to maintain this quality of rugby in the second half taking our chances and building a score but it wasn’t until the fifty third minute that we got on the scoreboard again. A penalty deep into the visitors’ twenty two was driven by the forwards with hooker Luke Cole touching down for our sixth score and a commanding 38-10 lead. However Fylde came back strongly with their third try of the afternoon for hooker Robert Williamson after a powerful drive from the forwards. Fly half Daniel Slawson added the conversion and they had reduced the lead to 38-17. We hit back eight minutes later with a try for tight head prop Danny Rylance who drove over close to their line. Oli added the conversion and we went further ahead 45-17 going into the last fifteen minutes of the game. Fylde were now looking to get a fourth try which would give them the losing bonus point and they achieved this when centre Aaron Pope broke through in midfield and touched down near the posts. A penalty near the visitors’ line was tapped quickly by replacement hooker Adam Mallinson who went over for our eighth try of the afternoon. Fylde in fairness never gave up and a well worked move saw winger Gilliland go over for his third and the visitors’ fifth. The game ended 52-27 to the Tigers and another five point bonus point win and the unbeaten run intact. Fylde deserved their losing bonus point and provided stern opposition on the day. Again the whole squad gave their all and this was a great game of rugby. Centre Joe Bedlow was voted man of the match by the visitors for his overall contribution and his two tries and prop Beltus Nonleh was named star player by Buzze Sports. Next Saturday we are away at Hull Ionians and this will probably be the hardest challenge so far this season as they are playing well and are fourth in the league. If possible please make the effort to come and support this special Tigers team.
Cheers, Steve Hazz.
