Fylde RFC players reap the rewards of hard work

The Woodlands club halted a five-game losing sequence – their longest since rejoining National Two North in 2018 – with a 62-19 home hammering of bottom club Huddersfield.

The eight-try win lifted Fylde to fifth in the table and, while joint-head coach Loney hopes a corner has been turned, he insists the hard graft must continue.

He told The Gazette: “Yes, we were happy with the win in tough conditions. It had been wet all week and to score over 60 points was very pleasing.

“We started and finished strongly, with three tries in the last 10 minutes.

“I’ve said a few times that the confidence has been good all along but now all the hard work we’ve put in has got its just rewards.

“That performance came from working hard over the week and future wins will come the same way.

“We’ve identified the areas where we need to improve and one win doesn’t change what we need to do better, but it’s full steam ahead now.”

After Tom Carleton’s opening try, Fylde’s other seven were all scored by forwards, including a hat-trick for captain Ben Gregory.

Loney added: “There were a couple of tight forwards’ tries but the others came from running play.

“The backs weren’t happy that the forwards were taking the plaudits but it shows the athleticism we have throughout our side to score in open play.”

Fylde have regularly rejigged the back division this season, with injuries to centres a major headache.

However, they looked fluent on Saturday with Carleton at full-back and Sale Sharks loanee Will Wootton finding his feet at this level.

Loney said: “We have been searching for the right combination and we’re happy with the way it went.

“Tom is an excellent player and Will looked lively at scrum-half. He got another game under his belt and had a really good kicking game.”

Fylde will look to continue their improvement at Sheffield on Saturday.

Just three points separate the sides and both have three wins to date, suggesting a good contest in South Yorkshire.

“They are a good team,” said Loney. “Last season was my first visit there (Fylde won 24-5) and they play an expansive game with big forwards.

“It will be another big test, which we will need to perform well in.”