Coventry Rugby v Fylde match preview.

Coventry Rugby make the trip to the Lancashire coast, this coming Saturday 27th October, as they face Fylde, kick off 3pm. The mild climate and rich loamy soils of the Fylde coast make it a centre for market gardening feeding the large northern conurbations, hence the beautiful playing surface at The Memorial Ground. 

Founded in 1919 Fylde have a rich history both in Lancashire and on the national stage, with internationals such as Bill Beaumont, Brian Ashton, and Roger Uttley, and last season Jason Robinson having played for the club.

With the advent of professionalism, like so many other clubs they spent beyond their means and yo-yoed between levels 2 and 4. Sense soon prevailed and Fylde began their climb back up the leagues being promoted last season back to National League 1. There under Head Coach Mark Nelson and Consultant Director Brian Ashton, they finished a very creditable 4th in the league, after earlier challenging the eventual champions Jersey.

Maintaining close connections both with the Lancashire County set up and Premiership side Sale Sharks Mark Nelson assisted now by player/coaches Paul Arnold and Richard Kenyon, with forwards coach Brian Gornall, Fylde have made somewhat of a stuttering start to the season with 4 wins and 4 losses, and lie in 8th place on 23 points, the same points as their rivals Coventry, who are 7^th on points difference. Wanting to play a fast offloading game to match the speed and skill of their backs, Fylde can attack from any area of the pitch, especially dangerous on the counter attack. Their last two games have seen excellent wins over Cinderford and Cambridge, and the game before that they held leaders Ealing Tfs to only 5 points.

Their other two wins were at home to Esher and Sedgley Park, with two away losses to Wharfedale and Blaydon and somewhat of a surprising home loss to newcomers Old Albanians.

Last season Coventry came across a scintillating back display away losing to Fylde 45- 14, but in arguably one of their best performances won the home return fixture 39-26.

Despite carelessly losing 3 scrum halfs during the close season Fylde have recruited well including dual registered players Josh Beaumont and Nathan Fowles from Sale Shark , leading  utility back Scott Barrow has come in from Leeds Carnegie, whilst No 15 or wing Warren Spragg has returned from Italy. Leading goal kicker Goal kicker Chris Johnson moved from Huddersfield and Moseley supplied Namibian International no 9 Ryan de la Harpe.

Key players from last season include centres Chris and Steve Briers, and goal scoring legend wing  Oli Brennand, who caused Coventry so many problems last year. Fylde’s pack can never be discounted especially with the evergreen lock Paul Arnold, putting himself around the field and scoring tries as well. A back row including Evan Stewart and Ben Vernon will always be combative, and with experienced hooker Alex Loney now back in the side, no team can afford to take them too lightly.

Half backs Richard Kenyon and former Coventry player Martin Wallwork provide even more experience, as does of course former England 7’s winger Nick Royle.

A tremendous game is in prospect on Saturday as both sides continue to battle to get into the top 6 in the league, and with Coventry unbeaten in three games, whilst Fylde are looking for their third consecutive win, another close contest is expected.

The Coventry Rugby side will be posted on the website as soon as it is known later on in the week.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

22nd October 2012