Fylde 4th XV 10-29 Hoppers 4th XV
Hoppers 4th travelled to Flyde with a strong squad available to Mick Mortimer and straight from the off they made it count!
The game got off to a fast start with Flyde pilling on the pressure inside the hoppers 22 but some big hits from Stephen ‘Copper’ Lightfoot and Cory ‘The Barbarian’ Wallace gave Ian Byrne the chance to turnover and that he did with a fantastic pass that allowed Luke Jackson to charge out of his own 22 and some great play ensued which ended in Nathan ‘ Top Knot’ McNamara being brought down with a high tackle as he was carving through the defence. Up stepped Alex Johnson who elected to kick from 45 metres… and he absoloutly smashed it over the bar for the first score of the game! From the restart the ball found its way to Ryan McGillary who broke through 2 would be tacklers and passed to Chris Jenkins who was running riot in the middle of the park! The centre was running past people like they were stood still the supplied Will Howard and yet again Flydes ill discipline in the tackles cost them a penalty. From then on it was Hoppers putting on the pressure and after Darryn Hills charge through and pass to Plummer the fullback was sin binned for holding on reducing Hoppers to 14.
The Fylde advantage didn’t last that long as soon aftervthe restart they were also reduced to 14 for yet more ill discipline in the tackles and the Hoppers pressure was starting to show. From the restart of play the ball made its way to Jenkins who crossed the line for the first try of the match, Alex slotting home the conversion. Fylde then from the restart mounted a strong attack which resulted in the Barbarian Cory to leave the field due to a blood injury and be replaced by Colligan. From that pressure they put their first points on the board with a try. The second half added Declan Norrington and Nick Johnson to the second row and they made an impact from the off! Johnson making some strong carries in his own 22 to march the lads up the field and with a great run from Owen Pye down the wing Hoppers were finally in the Flyde 22. A good defence battle from Flyde ensued who held Hoppers out for 20 odd phases of good rugby before Ryan McGillary broke through and flew over for the try! Top Knot adding the conversion.
From the restart Flyde put Hoppers on the back foot and eventually a lineout on the Hops 5m line lead to Flydes scrum half crossing for their second score. Hoppers were fired now and from the off McGillary fancied a 10 minute rest and made a late tackle on the Fylde 2ndrow. The Hoppers were on the back foot and Fylde pressure and ill discipline resulted in more penalties and them being marched back into their own 10 metres. Some strong tackles from Copper gave Hoppers chance for a good exit and this they did playing some great phases up the pitch. From a Fylde penalty Nick Johnson for the carry at speed and no one was stopping him as he crossed the line. Fylde attacked from the restart but with Jackson and Johnson tackling and turning over they passed to Jenkins who took the ball inside his own half to score. Top Knot slotting the conversion.
