Fylde RFC found the right balance in returning to winning ways last weekend

Fylde RFC have found top form at the right time ahead of their toughest test of the season at unbeaten league leaders Sedgley Park on Saturday (2.30pm).

Having lost five of their previous six National Two North games, Fylde ran in eight tries to win their first meeting with Heath 50-13 at the Woodlands.

After wearing down their Halifax visitors during a tight first half, Fylde pulled clear with five unanswered tries in the second to delight team boss Alex Loney.

Fylde’s joint-head coach told The Gazette: “It was as tough as you’d expect in a National League game early on, with plenty of physicality, and we had to withstand plenty of pressure on our line.

“We felt at half-time that we could have scored more and the second half was really good, with lots of running rugby, good passing and the error count was low.

“We forced pressure, made entries into their 22 and scored some good running tries.

“The driving maul was very effective too and we took advantage of that, so overall it was a good mix and a strong team performance.”

There were nine changes to the starting XV from the defeat at Huddersfield in Fylde’s previous game as the club’s injury issues ease after the two-week break.

The standout returnee was club captain Toby Harrison for his first game since February.

Loney added: “We were in a position to make some changes with people becoming available and it was a strong squad.

“We knew we’d have to make some tough selection decisions, which are the headaches you want, and that gives training more bite as well.

“Toby was the big one. He was desperate to play and brings a big emotional heartbeat.

“He’s been at the club for a long time and hopefully there will be many more games for him this season.

“It wasn’t about one or two, the balance of the whole team was really good.”

Familiar faces returned but there was still room for debutants, with winger Owain Williams scoring on loan from Sale and recent signing Cam Brown starting at centre.

“Owain looked dangerous throughout, while Cam looked good on both sides of the ball and there will be more to come,” said Loney.

He hopes his their improvement continues in Manchester against a Sedgley side who have been unstoppable since relegation from National One, taking maximum points from their first eight games.

“We know Sedgley are the top team, very experienced with a lot of depth and consistency,” said Loney.

“We are looking forward to backing up our performance against Heath and we will go there with confidence and respect for the opposition.

“Of course they are the favourites on paper, but it’s not a foregone conclusion, and if we can put them under pressure we can have a great game.”