Harrogate 0 Fylde 52
Saturday 7 January 2023

Although the scoreline might not suggest it, Harrogate put up a spirited performance but Fylde ran out worthy winners.

Heavy overnight and morning rain made playing conditions difficult but both sides looked to run the ball where possible.

Fylde’s first try came in the 10th minute from a near length of the pitch attack. They collected a kick through in their own 22 and Sam Stott ran half the length of the pitch before Jordan Dorrington scored, with Greg Smith converting. In the 22nd minute, Adam Lanigan ran from halfway before handing off to Cole Potts who scored under the posts on his debut for the club, with Smith converting once again.

Further converted tries came before half-time. Firstly, Stott broke through Harrogate’s defence on the half hour, and then with the final play of the half, Lanigan scored Fylde’s bonus point try, finishing off a fine move emanating from inside their own half.

In the second half, Lanigan scored his 2nd try in the 47th minute, converted by Smith. The ball was kicked through on Gate’s 22 and Lanigan kicked on before diving over the line. Ben Gregory then went over in the 56th minute following a forward drive.

On the hour, Gregory’s break inside the 22 led to David Fairbrother touching down for another converted try. Ben Turner then completed the scoring 4 minutes later with a try in the corner.

Although both sides continued to run the ball and the game became more open, no further scores were forthcoming, with Harrogate being denied a consolation score at the death by Fylde’s resolute defence.

Harrogate’s next game is away next Saturday against table-toppers Sedgley Park. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Teams

Harrogate: Raubitschek, Bainbridge, Rawlinson, Fox, Yates, Steene, Olley, Parker-Clarke, Baxter, Peace, Fenn, Phipps, Jackson, Dodds, Spencer-Jones (capt). Replacements: Elsayed, Hill, Jones, Macnab, Pearson.

Fylde: Dorrington, Lanigan, Wilkinson, Stott, Grimes, Smith, Potts, Bowker, Gregory (capt), Ashcroft, Parkinson, Garrod, Harrison, Woodman, Fairbrother. Replacements: Parker, Barrow, Higginson, Turner, Rawlings.

Referee: Michael Harris (RFU)

Tim Thorley
Harrogate RUFC
8 January 2023