Match Report: Fylde 26 - 38 PARFC (Nat 1)

This was a most remarkable victory; earned by Albion’s never say die attitude, their fitness and tactical and astute changes made by the coaching staff as the game progressed. It was literally a stunning performance. For example, when Albion took the lead one of the Fylde subs was so stunned he could not move, being unable to comprehend what had just happen to his team. All his team mates were similarly afflicted at the final whistle. After the game, their player coach when announcing the man of the match was unable to explain how their had lost. He would have to view the DVD to try and understand what had just occurred. I asked Ollie Dawe later for his reaction to the result; his reply “I’m speechless.” That summed up perfectly how everyone felt about this remarkable game.

The Fylde ground has a well appointed two storey club house behind the dead ball line and almost the full width of the pitch. The building is less than 10 years old and envied by the travelling faithful for the facilities it provides. Fylde won the toss and opted to start with their backs to the club house. The temperature was barely above freezing with occasional flurries of snow, but thankfully there was very little wind so no chill factor to guard against. Albion kicked off towards their right wing and enjoyed the opening minutes of play putting Fylde under pressure.

As happened a number of times, odd mistakes were made and perhaps the officials not always spotting Fylde infringements. Fylde soon made a strong attack down their right wing which resulted in a converted try. Fylde’s style dates back to the days when Brian Ashton was their coach (He was present at the game. So too was Bill Beaumont, a stalwart member of the club as well as holding an important role at HQ). They like to run the ball as often as possible. No surprise with this good score which was followed by an excellent conversion from out wide on the right wing; Fylde 7 - 0 PARFC.

Albion continued to put pressure on Fylde and were awarded a penalty towards their left wing and just inside Fylde’s 10 metre line. Billy Searle struck the ball well but it was off target. Then Albion scored an equalising try. This epitomised their never say die spirit; a ball was kicked towards Fylde’s left hand corner and two Albion players put pressure on the defenders causing them to fail to control it. Dan Collier, one of the two, tapped the ball forward and with a second tap put it over the goal line enabling him fall on the ball for a try. It was close to the posts and Billy had no problem with the conversion; Fylde 7 - 7 PARFC.

Next to score were Fylde. This was from a line out on Albion’s 22; a gap was created in our defence and a good try was scored near the posts. The scorer was put into space and had only one man to beat which was really a simple task with the speed he had and the space available to wrong foot the sole defender. An easy conversion followed. The manner in which this was scored caused us a great deal of apprehension, the writing seemed to be on the wall for a bad day for Albion; Fylde 14 - 7 PARFC.

Albion had a chance to narrow the score with another penalty almost on the 10 metre line, but the result was the same as the previous attempt by Billy - it went wide. Then followed what at the time seemed like a warning of what to expect for the rest of the game; Fylde attacked on the their left. A good break enabled their winger to touch down under the posts. Again, an easy conversion; Fylde 21 - 7 PARFC.

Albion did have a successful penalty kick by Billy Searle which gave some hope that not all was lost; Fylde 21 - 10 PARFC. But during an attack down Albion’s right the officials seemed to miss a number of infringements by Fylde and the visitors ended up being penalised. Fylde cleared their lines and even worse was to follow. From the line-out, Fylde ran the ball out towards their right wing and Ethan Ford attempted an interception. To the faithful and a few of the locals this appeared to have been a genuine attempt to catch the ball. The officials conferred and decided it was a deliberate knock-on, so Ethan had a 10 minute enforced rest. From the penalty Fylde went for a line-out from which they scored their fourth and final try. Fortunately, the conversion failed; Fylde 26 - 10 PARFC.

The half ended with Albion in a good position deep in Fylde’s 22, but they were unable to capitalise on it and it looked as if they would be taken to the cleaners in the second forty. Clearly, at the interval Albion’s tactics were changed and some changes made to personnel. As play resumed, Albion had more control with some good kicks to gain field position and they had a series of scrums right on Fylde’s 5 metre line. When awarded a penalty, a quick tapped kick resulted in a knock-on. Scrum to Fylde, but they were penalised and this time Albion opted for a scrum. This illustrates the progress our pack has made this season; they had the confidence to go for the scrum. Fylde were able to stop Albion’s initial surge, but Herbie was able to pick the ball up and force his way over the line. Matt Shepherd, who had assumed kicking duties had no problem in making the conversion; Fylde 26 - 17 PARFC.

Yet Fylde could have really put the match beyond Albion’s reach. An accurate kick aimed at Albion’s left hand corner flag was inch perfect. But in attempting to dive on it and slide over the line, the Fylde winger knocked it on over the try line and then out of play. A narrow escape for Albion who from the resulting scrum were able to make progress up the pitch. It was now apparent that more of the decisions were going Albion’s way and there were certainly no complaints about the officials in the second half. One unseen tactical move was a crucial one by one of the faithful. He moved his position from a slightly elevated one to one right down by the fence with the intention to see if it improved Albion’s luck. With Albion making their come back, he was under strict instructions on no account to move! The tidal wave of Albion scores resumed late in the half when Billy Searle broke through and kicked ahead putting Fylde under pressure inside their 5 metre line. Once again, Fylde were unable to secure the ball but Nile Dacres was and touched down near the posts. Matt made the conversion; Fylde 26 - 24 PARFC.

The momentum had dramatically swung towards Albion. Their fighting spirit and fitness were now causing Fylde many problems. It was the next try that gave Albion real hope of achieving an improbable victory. Almost from the kick off Albion forwards secured turn over ball and it was fed to Mark Koteczky who was able to beat several defenders and score near the posts. Again conversion made by Matt Shepherd; under pressure inside the 5 metre line.  Again Fylde were unable to secure the ball but Nile Dacres was able to do so and touched down near the posts. Matt made the conversion; Fylde 26 - 31 PARFC.

Fylde were now completely stunned, they did not know what had hit them. So much so that Albion put them beyond a losing bonus point with yet another good score. The backs moved the ball and put Matt Shepherd in for a try which he was able to convert. Final score: Fylde 26 - 38 PARFC.

After the win at Rosslyn Park, one of our posters commented, “The away games seem to be the most exciting.” This one was packed with excitement even if we had to wait for those last 20 minutes of the game. It was truly a remarkable match and the confidence within the team must now be sky high. They will now believe that they can win from the most unlikely situations.