Fylde RFC 31 Rossendale 24: Fylde’s fightback gives them a dramatic victory
Fylde’s performance against Rossendale in the clubs’ first National League game at the Woodlands could not have been better described than being a curate’s egg.
A very poor first-half display by the home team saw them make every possible error against a committed and hard-working Stags squad, who completely dominated the first 40 minutes.
When Fylde finally found their touch in the last quarter, they outran the tiring visitors who – in all honesty – deserved more from the game.
It didn’t take the Stags long to gain the ascendancy as they used their strong pack to dominate the loose play.
Fylde’s errors contributed and their cause was not helped when David Fairbrother was yellow-carded for a fourth-minute offence near the Fylde line.
Rossendale took due advantage as Krisnan Inu burst through some tackles and touched down, giving them a lead they maintained until the 76th minute.
Another handling error led to Rossendale centre Kieran Tyrer stealing in for their second try, converted by Inu for a 12-0 lead.
Rossendale’s tactics of utilising player-head coach Sam Bedlow’s booming kicks and their pack’s aggressive rucking were the right way to play with the breeze behind them.
However, the scrummage remained a point of advantage for Fylde who crossed in the 34th minute.
Having pressed inside the visitors’ 22, a messy ruck ended with Ben Dorrington spotting a loose ball and scoring near the posts.
Dan Slawson’s conversion made the score 12-7 but it didn’t take long for Rossendale to re-establish their dominance.
Just before half-time, they created space for winger Harry Chubb to score a good try and set up a 17-7 half-time lead.
The early stages of the second half were much the same as the first, Vincent Durcan with a converted try for Rossendale and Fylde’s Alex Clayton yellow-carded.
It was then Rossendale’s time for their discipline to falter, with Bedlow’s 51st-minute yellow card inspiring Fylde to up their efforts.
Five minutes later, Leo Gilliland cut through the defence to notch his 12th try of the season to leave Fylde 24-12 adrift.
Fylde continued to benefit from the extra man and, on the hour, Ashton Kassam-Sharples wrestled his way clear 40 metres from the line before dodging a couple of defenders and breaking clear to score.
Slawson added the extras and, suddenly, Fylde were very much back in the fight at 24-19 down.
Rossendale’s discipline crumbled as they conceded penalty after penalty, leading to Owen Boxall and Inu receiving their marching orders in the 70th and 75th minutes.
Fylde drew level in the 74th minute as Kassam-Sharples broke down the left and fed Slawson, who got the try to make it 24-24.
Two minutes later, another backs move ended with Adam Lanigan plunging over in the corner and Slawson kicking a lovely conversion from the touchline.
That gave Fylde a seven-point lead, which they retained in playing out the final few minutes.
Fylde: Turner, Gilliland, Clayton (Lanigan 66), Forster, Dorrington, Slawson, Gould, Bowker, Trippier, Rudkin (Lewis 33), B Walton (Morgan 72), Morgan (Kassam-Sharples 48), M Walton (Senior 60), Dorrington (Rudkin 66), Fairbrother. Not used: Sutcliffe.
Rossendale: Holland (Inu 67), Durcan, Tyrer (Gayle 67, Tyrer 70), Inu (Rogers 60), Chubb, Bedlow, Whelan, Flynn, Boxall, Gayle (Probert 31), Nabogi, Lightbown, Fontaine (Berry 54), Fourie, Ioane (Clark 54). Not used: Stephens.