THIS final pre-season run-out saw the Tigers stamp their authority on a pumped-up Fylde outfit and cruise to victory, although the visitors never gave up and their physical edge and commitment in the tackle at times set the home side questions that were for the most part answered.

SEDGLEY PARK 48
FYLDE 6

Friendly

As seems to be the emerging tradition in these pre-season affairs, the game was played over four, 20-minute ‘quarters’ to allow both sides to change personnel and try out different formations.

Sedgley had Ian Voortman on the wing in place of flu victim Saulo Roko, with Chris Briers forming an exciting centre partnership with former Scotland international, Andy Craig.

In the forwards, hooker Jonny Roddam overcame a bruised shoulder and Jaco ‘Chopper’ Swart partnered Ed Norris in the engine room. Missing were Sale Sharks’ loan players Sean Cox and Marc Jones (although Jones will be available from next weekend); Jason Duffy, who continues to make a speedy recovery from a broken ankle and leg; and Chris Hall, who is still involved with Dewsbury Rams’ rugby league campaign.

The Tigers got quickly into their stride and three lineouts following the initial kick-off took them to within five metres of the Fylde try-line. Skipper Jimmy Ponton stole possession at the third throw-in to set up a driving maul, from where quick ball was spun out to Voortman who went over in the corner after just four minutes. Phil Jones’ attempted conversion unfortunately rebounded off an upright.

Three minutes later some over enthusiastic tap-dancing in the ruck saw the visitors’ Nick King pick up an early yellow card to give the Tigers the man advantage. The duly stepped up the pressure and had the ball over the line, but Jones was adjudged to have not grounded it. However, he did slot over a 35-metre penalty to extend the Tigers’ lead to 8-0 on 19 minutes.

Fylde got onto the scoreboard with a straight forward Martin Wallwork penalty from the Tigers’ 22, two minutes into the second quarter. But the home side then began to turn the screw even more, moving the ball laterally from touchline to touchline, stretching the Fylde defence and opening up huge gaps on the flanks.

From one such passage of play the Tigers spun lineout ball, won on the left 10 metres from the Fylde line, into the centres, where Andy Craig burst through the defence to go over between the visitors’ posts to give Jones the easiest of conversions to stretch the lead to 15-3.

Up against 14 men once more, following a yellow card shown to Fylde’s Andy Atkinson this time, the home side continued to press, and Adam Newton was held up over the line as the Tigers began to show glimpses of their National One pedigree.

After a normal half-time break, the third quarter saw a change at scrum-half, with Jamie Albinson being replaced by the stockier figure of Chris Leck, another player on a season-loan from Sale Sharks. He added speed of thought, crisp passing and a commanding presence, linking forwards and backs. Indeed, his very vocal marshalling of the forwards at the ruck ensured a firm base from which to attack repeatedly.

Successful lineout ball won on the left saw Norris use his power and pace to loop around and drive over from 15 metres and give Jones another easy two-pointer to extend the lead to 22-3. Indeed, the only thing preventing the Tigers from running up a cricket score at this stage was their ability to drop the ball or knock-on with the try-scoring gap beckoning. In rely Fylde could only add a second Wallwork three-pointer.

On the hour Sedgley were awarded a penalty five metres out, Leck tapped and drove for the Fylde line aware the visitors’ defence had failed to retreat the required 10 metres and Sedgley were duly awarded a penalty try, which Jones converted to make it 29-6 going into the final quarter.

Within four minutes of the re-start from a lineout just inside the Fylde half, the ball was fed at speed from left to right and Swart, now playing at Number 8, sent a finely weighted looping pass out to Norris, who galloped over in the right corner for his second try of the game. It was improved by Jones’ boot as he pushed the score onto 36-6.

Throughout the game Swart showed a huge appetite for work, in both attack and defence, the loose and the tight; for such a big man he popped up everywhere demonstrating his adaptability and improving fitness levels.

The Tigers continued their hunt for points and their penultimate try came from the rejuvenated Arno de Jager. He joined the attack at speed as the ball was swept from left to right, handing off at least three would-be tacklers before squirming and spinning from the grips or another three to force his way over in the left-hand corner for an unconverted try.

Leck’s speed of thought and foot was then amply demonstrated when following a catch-and-drive from call-ball won at a five-metre lineout, he darted over from the base of the ruck to give Jones another easy kick to round off an impressive performance.

However, one thing is for certain: as happy as he no doubt was with the majority of his side’s game, Tigers’ Director of Rugby Tim Fourie will be reminding his charges of one obvious fact: National Three North Fylde are not National One Coventry. The phony war is over, the real one is about to begin.