Fylde RFC joint-boss sees signs for optimism with their recent performances.

Chris Briers believes his Fylde RFC side are moving in the right direction despite last Saturday’s 52-27 defeat at Sedgley Park.

Fylde went try for try with the unbeaten leaders for much of the National Two North contest, but a 19-0 deficit after the opening quarter left them too much to do.

Their five tries made it 13 in two games, having halted a four-match losing streak with a 50-13 Woodlands win over Heath the previous weekend.

Joint-head coach Briers told The Gazette: “We gave Sedgley early opportunities to come at us.

“We made mistakes and gave them penalties, and such a good side will take chances even though we defended well.

“We scored some good tries, moved the ball well and caused them problems.

“We’re the first side to score five tries against Sedgley all season and after a good win last week, we are still moving in the right direction.

“It’s just a case of ironing out the problems we are causing for ourselves.”

The Tigers have a maximum 45 points from nine matches, begging the question as to whether they can be stopped even with two-thirds of the season remaining.

Briers said: “There are opportunities to stop them but they are a very good side and it will take a team at their best to beat them.

“We’ve shown we can score against them, so hopefully we will be capable of beating them at our place (in March), but you just have to keep them out!”

Briers’ immediate focus is on the five-game run-in to Christmas, starting with Saturday’s visit to Harrogate (2pm): the side immediately above them in the table.

“Harrogate have had some surprising results and are difficult to predict,” he said.

“We just need to be focused going into Christmas because we need a few more wins before the break.”

Fylde made just one change to their starting XV at Sedgley, which was most welcome in a season of regular chopping and changing due to injuries and unavailability.

The bench looked strong too, with Corey Bowker and Will Greenwood returning.

Briers added: “It can only help us to become more consistent. It’s good that we can finally make selections based on having a large number of fit and available players.

“The only change was because of an injury to James Sutcliffe. It was something that had been bothering him and hopefully the week off has given him the chance to recover.

“It’s not too bad when you can bring in a player (Rob Williamson) who scored a hat-trick off the bench in the last game!”