Sheffield 38 Fylde RFC 19: New-look Fylde defeated on day one

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A revamped Fylde RFC squad suffered defeat on day one of the new National Two North campaign.

Facing a Sheffield team that finished third last season, Fylde endured a torrid first half-hour of near constant defending as they conceded three tries and had two yellow cards in trailing 21-0.

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Things started badly for Fylde when, from the kick-off, Sam Parker took a heavy knock after getting in the way of Sheffield’s Ryan Burrows and was unable to continue.

Fylde captain Toby Harrison was yellow-carded on six minutes for what was deemed a high hit before they went behind seven minutes later.

Fylde RFC's players were beaten at Sheffield in National Two North Picture: Fylde RFCFylde RFC's players were beaten at Sheffield in National Two North Picture: Fylde RFC
Fylde RFC's players were beaten at Sheffield in National Two North Picture: Fylde RFC
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Sheffield pinched a scrum against the head and, although the charging Burrows was hauled down just short of the line, the ball was moved wide and Will Smith touched down with Elliott Fisher converting.

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Leading 7-0, Sheffield continued to exert a stranglehold on the game but Fylde’s defence showed its mettle, particularly close to the line.

The pressure told, however, as Lewis Quinn picked up a yellow card on 26 minutes before Burrow went over three minutes later and Fisher converted to make it 14-0.

Fylde finally managed to get some sustained possession, working their way into the opposition half where a pass cannoned off a shoulder.

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It was quickly recycled by Sheffield, who capitalised with Smith going over for a second try and Fisher’s conversion making it 21-0.

To Fylde’s credit, they gathered themselves and made their next meaningful possession pay as Greg Morgan’s fine offload gave Ben Turner enough space to score on 36 minutes.

However, last season’s habit of conceding not long after scoring returned when, in possession, they opted to chip over rather than keep the ball in hand.

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Sheffield snuffed out the kick and quickly turned defence into attack, Chris Hooper finishing off a long-range try for a 26-5 lead at the break.

After weathering some early second-half pressure, Fylde gained their first real sustained toehold on 53 minutes.

Having kicked a penalty to touch, Fylde executed the catch and drive and put Matt Garrod over for a try converted by Lucas Atherton.

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Trailing 26-12, Fylde’s Achilles heel struck again four minutes later when Jack Dawson crossed for Sheffield.

Back came Fylde as Freddie Reader scorched through to score and Atherton’s conversion made it 31-19 on 63 minutes.

Nevertheless, Sheffield wrestled back the initiative and widened the gap again as Will Burden crashed over and Callum Posa converted for a 38-19 lead with five minutes remaining.

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In that time, Fylde did their best to create one more try and take home a losing bonus point but it wasn’t to be.

With the last play of the game, Reader chipped over the top and dived for the touchdown but the officials decided it wasn’t clear who got there first and the chance was gone.

It meant that Sheffield finished the day with five points as the Fylde players left empty-handed.

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Sheffield: Castledine, Dawson, Smith, Burden, Hooper, Posa, Fisher (Drennan 51), Lonsdale (Hicklin 75), Campbell (Hughes 58), Hicklin (Rogers 49), Crapper (Castleton 63), Parsons, Fawdry, Hignell (Adcock 49), Burrows.

Fylde RFC: Atherton, Reader, J Dorrington (Forster 60), Stott, Turner, Bishop, Gaughan, Harrison, Walton, Quinn, Morgan (B Dorrington 40), Garrod (Morgan 75), Trippier, Parker (King 2, Rudkin 51), Bowker.