Fylde Junior Colts finally managed to secure a win when they defeated a gutsy Glossop side by 39 points to 19.
Played in bright conditions but with a slight breeze Fylde kicked off and were immediately pegged back by the visitors who opened the scoring on five minutes. Fylde were just that but too anxious in their play and it took skipper Sam Russell to calm the nerves when he characteristically powered his way through to score, which he converted. Fylde now pushed on and the impressive Chris Horsefield extended the Fylde lead with an excellent finish on the left wing.and on 30 minutes the Carr Hill pupil again finished strongly for his second try, which skipper Russell converted.
Fylde were now playing sweet flowing rugby and on 34 minutes outside centre Cal Mackenzie was released by an excellent reverse pass from Euan Cosh and Mackenzie
touched down under the posts. Russell converted and completed the first half scoring to give fylde a 26 5 lead.
Coach for the day Ollie Brennand imparted some words of wisdom at half time, but it was to no immediate avail as Glossop exploited some sloppy Fylde defence to score, which was converted.
Fylde came back strongly and despite coach Brennand's advice to exploit mismatches, on 3 occasions Fylde failed to spin the ball wide when it would have lead to inevitable scores. Horsefield should have notched his hat trick when he cut inside two defenders but with the line beckoning he inexplicably tried to cut inside a defender and was tackled just short of the line.
Eventually, full back Chris Jackson steadied the Fylde ship when he picked up a loose ball and counter attacked to score. Glossop were not to be undone and came back again to score a converted try. Fylde went straight back on to the attack and earned a penalty about 30 yards out which Russell slotted over. On 68 minutes skipper Russell scored an excellent try on the left when following some tough tackling from Bradley Harker Glossop spilled the ball. Russell picked up and finished in style for a personal tally of 19 points.
This was a better performance from Fylde's U'17s and an excellent all round performance from Russell who not only played with skill and composure but älso led by example.
Fylde squad: Jackson, Horsefield, Robertson, Mackenzie, Norris, Crompton, Russell, Cosh, Gaunt, Tiplady, Bielby, Andrews, Fox, McGuiness, Harris, Jamo, Maden-Wilkinson, Cook, Nightingale, Barker, Collier.
Report by Ian Cosh.
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