Fleetwood’s U17 Junior Colts commenced their 2008/2009 campaign in the top division with an away fixture against Northwich. The home started the strongest and Fleetwood had to battle hard in the loose with Forwards Henry Turner, James Cameron and Adam Dawson particularly prominent in the early exchanges. Northwich went 3-0 up with a penalty for handling in the ruck. Gradually Fleet got into the game thanks largely to sheer graft from the pack with Ben Ruddlesdin, Tom Hird and Danny Maher setting the standard. This pressure was rewarded when Tom Evans converted a penalty. However Northwich replied within minutes with a try in the corner as weak defence allowed them through. Fleetwood came back equally as strong when winger Joe Morgan ran 30m evading a last ditch tackle to dive and score. Kris Phillips was well marked and had limited opportunity with ball in hand. 2nd Row forward Alex Maddern looked dangerous with occasional runs at the well marshalled defence. The ball bounced nicely into the hands of Tom Evans who burst through the home defence on the 22 only to be tackled short of the line. The home side again managed another try as their player evaded 2 tackles before scoring. Half time 13-8.
Northwich again drew first blood with a penalty kick. Danny Maher went on a charge but could not bludgeon his way through. Then Scrum half Tom Evans spotted a gap on the blind side of a ruck and sprinted through to score despite being tackled on the line. With the score now at 13-13, Fleet looked the more likely to score but then Northwich converted another penalty kick after Danny Maher was somewhat harshly yellow carded. He was followed into the sin bin minutes later by Fullback Grant Cowie after a high tackle. Northwich converted the penalty and with only 13 men left Fleetwood succumbed at the death to a try in the corner. Final score 24-13. Despite this initial set back, Fleetwood can take stock and regroup ready to entertain local rivals Preston this Sunday.
Fleetwood Squad: Birks, Cameron, Cowie, Dawson, J Evans, T Evans, Hird, Foden, Kemp, Maddern, Maher, Morgan, Phillips, Preston, Railton, Reynolds, Riley, Ruddlesdin, Teale, Turner, Webster, White.
|