Harrogate mounted a series of attacks from the start and, after 15 minutes an Ed Smithies touchline break was well supported by hooker, Aarin Yorke who opened the scoring. The Harrogate pressure continued with inventive back moves and further tries seemed certain. However, Fylde realised that the forward drive was their main strength and they played to this tactic for the rest of the game. The equalising try came from flanker, Johnny Roddam after a 15 metre driving maul. Tom Barlow’s conversion put the hosts in the lead.

This pattern continued and, although Harrogate continued to attack Fylde gave them a fright when home full back, Mike Waywell intercepted a pass and made a strong 60 metre break. He was tackled 10 metres short of the try line but was penalised for holding on and the half time score remained at 7-5.

The 2nd half started with continuous Fylde driving mauls. Harrogate defended desperately but 2nd row, Mike King eventually drove over to extend Fylde’s lead. Dazzling Harrogate attacks followed but they were thwarted by a heavy pitch and strong Fylde tackling. Stand off, Mike Aspinall changed the pattern with an attacking cross kick which Sam Bottomley followed up well to score.

It was now 14-10 but Fylde went further ahead with their final converted try. Again, it followed a driving maul with No8, Alistair Atkinson touching down. Harrogate’s last try came from Smithies who made the extra man after another well executed back move.

Fylde: Waywell, Barlow, Hurst, Ward, Welch, Gargett, Aikman, Irvine, Lewis, Altham, Atkinson, King, Smith, Roddam, Atkinson

Harrogate: Smithies, Harris Bottomley, Dench, Parsons, Aspinall, Browne, Yorke (Hannan 65), McMillan (Davies 55), Spencer, Brady, Burns (Sowerey 65), Heaton, Lewis.

Referee: Nick Ashton (RFU)

For match photographs courtesy of Simon Gardliner Photography click the link below

http://gallery.me.com/photosonline#100630&view=mosaic&bgcolor=black&sel=0